Donald Elliott Reilly, 99, Died; Staples grad, Navy Veteran, “ truly a good man”
Donald Elliott Reilly, age 99, beloved husband of the late Nancy Reilly, of Westport passed on peacefully on November 20, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Don was born on September 1st, 1922 in New York City and his family moved to Westport in 1934. He attended local schools, graduated from Staples High School and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Naval Aviation Program. With the advent of World War ll, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy as a pilot and later as a flight instructor based at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following his military service, he joined the firm of Koller and Smith Company, a printing company based in New York City where he began his career in sales. He advanced to President and co-owner over the course of his 40-year career.
He met and married the love of his life, Nancy, in 1949 and together they raised their three sons. Nancy and Don enjoyed many years of designing and building their home and gardens; collecting and restoring antique furniture and art and travelled extensively with family and friends. Don was also an avid tennis player. He loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed many rafting and canoe trips with his sons. Don will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of nature, his meticulous woodworking skills, antique restoration and his epic annual barn sales.
He was truly a good man and a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather who freely gave of himself and taught us many life skills. We will miss him greatly, mindful that that he had a long and good life filled with adventure, love, family and many friends. We will remember him for his humor, warmth, strength of character, dedication to his family and his love of his golden retrievers.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Kevin Reilly and his wife Leslie (Carrere) of Newfield, NY, William Reilly and his wife Laura (Gottfried) of Enfield, NY and Peter Reilly and his wife Mary (Picard) of Rye, NH; his grandchildren Colin and his wife Lauren, Marissa and her husband Zach Beauchamp, Mia, Megan and Conor Reilly; his great-granddaughter Kendall and his sister, Eloise Reilly of Westport, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks for Carla Wilson, his personal caregiver, for her loving care and the staff at Visiting Angels of Fairfield, Ct for their support. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor can be made to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue at 110 Chapin Rd., Hudson, MA 01749-08081.
SERVICES: Family and friends will be invited to attend a memorial service planned for the spring of 2022 in Westport. Specific details will be provided at a later date. Visit: www.hardingfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook