Robert Reilly

Robert Reilly, 91, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Lolita (Lola) Forns Reilly entered into eternal rest Saturday, October 12, 2024. His funeral mass will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island at 10:30 AM. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc, Mount Pleasant Chapel from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A short prayer service will begin at 5:00 pm.

Robert was born April 27, 1933, in Pittsburgh, PA, son of the late Edward L. Reilly and the late Lucille Giegerich Reilly.

Bob attended St. John’s College (high school) in Washington, D.C., and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. He then joined the Coast Guard and served as an officer aboard the icebreaker USCGC North Wind, which traveled from Seattle to the North Pole and Antarctica. He eventually reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He attended the University of Washington (Seattle) where he received his master’s and PhD in Medieval English. He taught at the University of Portland, OR and during the summers, he taught for the Coast Guard in Alameda, CA. It was during the summer of 1965 that he met his future wife, Lola, who was a Navy Nurse at Oakland Naval Hospital. They were married the following year. In 1968 they moved to NJ to be close to family while Bob taught at Rider College. In 1977, the family did a teacher exchange allowing Bob to teach at the University of Sheffield, England in the Dept. of Early English.

He was well loved by his students and nominated for best teacher at Rider.

In 1995 they retired to Mt. Pleasant, SC. Bob was an active member of Christ Our King parish, serving in several ministries. He also volunteered in the community - chaired the ARB of Hidden Lakes when Waterfront Dr. was being developed, Trident Literacy, Mt Pleasant Library, BOWS (Beyond Our Walls), and with his wife, ushered for the Charleston Symphony, and for events at the Gaillard, and many Charleston theaters.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lola, his son, Eric Jerome Reilly (Laura) of Inola, OK; daughter, Deirdre Marie Reilly (Tracy Turner) of Sonoma, CA; nine grandchildren, Jacob Reilly (Martha), Madeline Reilly, Isabella Reilly, Peter Reilly (Hannah), Paul Reilly, George Reilly, Genevieve Reilly, Lucy Reilly and Adelaide Reilly; seven great grandchildren; sister-in-law Janice Reilly of Alexandria, VA, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, James L Reilly.

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by nurses, nurses aides, and staff of Lutheran Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Respite Care Charleston,1605 Harbor View Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, or Lutheran Hospice, 1885 Rifle Range Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.