Obituary of Gerard J. Reilly Sr.

Gerard J. Reilly Sr. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family after an extended illness on September 21st, 2023. Gerard was born on August 26th, 1960 in Staten Island, NY where he resided with his family until they moved to Tuckerton, NJ in 1976. In 1989, Gerard moved to Cedarville with the “best catch of his life”, Donna. Throughout their 31 years together, Gerard and Donna built a life that many could only dream of. Together on the farm, they raised everything from their babies to cows to emus. Gerard worked as a merchant marine for many years before changing professions, becoming an electrician. In 2010, Gerard and his family started their own electrical business, Systems Electric. 10 years later, they started on another business adventure, opening Reilly’s Hardware, Guns & Ammo and Frosty’s Ice Cream. Gerard enjoyed fishing, spending time with his friends and family, no mush crabs, vacationing in West Virginia, and Jameson. You could often find Gerard hanging outback at the farm ready to have a cold beer and a good conversation with anyone who stopped. He was also a proud member of the Evening Star Masonic Lodge #97 in Cedarville. Gerard is predeceased by his parents Michael Sr. and Lucille Reilly; brothers Michael Reilly Jr., Thomas Reilly, and sister Ellen Coombs. Gerard is survived by his loving wife, Donna (née Grace), son, Gerard Jr. (Jordan) and son, Sean; his beloved grandchildren, Gerard III and Grace; his brother, Jack Reilly (Alexandra); his fur-babies, Bullet, Remi and Ruger; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Funeral services will be held at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp., on Saturday, September 30th at 11 AM. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 9 AM to 11 AM. Masonic services will be observed just before the funeral services. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cedarville. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website, www.padgettfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to People for Animals, https://pfaonline.org/donate/ or Animal Friends Foundation, Unit B, 616 E Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360