Richard “Dick” Reilly

Richard P. (Dick) Reilly, age 77, a resident of Volo, passed away peacefully,  surrounded by family on September 24, 2024 at Lake Forest Hospital.  Dick was born on August 27, 1947 in Bloomington, IL to Thomas F. and Lorraine (nee Froehlke) Reilly.

Dick was the beloved husband of Joyce M (nee Gwozdz) Reilly for 48 years and the beloved father of Thomas J. Reilly of Wauconda. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary (Jerome) Bastien of Wauconda, Kathleen of Wauconda, and Michael (Judy) of Fox River Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dick attended Transfiguration Catholic school and Wauconda High School. He was a graduate of St.Mary's College in Winona, MN and earned a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

He worked as an environmental scientist for the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission and for Hey and Associates.

In his lifetime, he spent countless hours swimming, fishing, waterskiing, ice boating , skating, and life guarding on Bang's Lake in Wauconda where his family owned and operated Phil's Beach.

Dick loved the outdoors and the native landscapes of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. He enjoyed fishing, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, running and cross country skiing. He was a  loyal Wisconsin Badgers football fan. He quietly gave back to the places he loved by planting native trees and prairie plants, and by supporting the Lake County Forest Preserve's  Blanding's turtle restoration efforts.

A private family memorial service was held.  All arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org .  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or Save-A-Pet Grayslake.