Keith Alfred Reilly's Obituary
Keith Alfred Reilly: Beloved Husband, Brother, and Uncle, 63, of Jacksonville, passed onto Eternity on Wednesday, April 28th. He was born on October 7th, 1957, in Tacoma, Washington to George and June Reilly as their fourth child and first son. Keith’s father’s family are from Brooklyn, New York and his mother’s family are from Detroit, Michigan. Keith lived all over the United States as his parents both served in the military and were stationed in many places. The family moved from Petersburg, Virginia to Tampa, Florida in 1969 where Keith attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School then to Robinson High School.
Keith’s work career was almost entirely in the restaurant field. He started washing dishes at 12 years old at the Hoffra House restaurant in Port Tampa. A few short years later he went on to Steak N’ Shake on Dale Mabry and was well known for his grill work cooking their famous steak burgers. Whenever a new Steak N’ Shake was opened, Keith and his brother, Patrick, were sent for the grand openings for their skill and speed and were once even featured on a local t.v. news station in Tampa. Keith had his own apartment, (with his brother, Patrick), at a very young age and they were both very well known in their younger days in Tampa with many friends. Their “pad” was the place of many parties back in the day!
Keith moved to Jacksonville in 1978 and soon started working as an assistant manager for Burger King and then worked his way up to store manager. In 1993, he purchased his own restaurant, Cathy’s Family Style Restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, that he owned for 11 years. Owning his own restaurant was a lifelong dream for Keith and he was extremely proud of achieving this life goal.
Keith also worked awhile in Tampa, with his Brother-in-law Richard Nordstrom in his company business and at his flea market business in Port Richey, Florida. He was very knowledgeable about so many things and was always interested in learning more.
Keith loved to play guitar and was entirely self-taught. He also shared his love of playing and helped to teach his brother’s Patrick and David. Keith had a nice singing voice too. His Ibanez guitar is one of his most prized possessions and was his favorite instrument. He played at many parties and gatherings through the years and he could play many artists’ songs very well.
Keith was a huge Jaguar NFL fan who was an original ticket holder since 1995. He was very proud of his four seats in the second row of the north end zone. He used to say, “I can smell the grass from the field from where I sit!” He also enjoyed seeing touch downs take place right in front of him in the north end zone. No matter what, he continued to support his team and loved his Jags. He also supported the Tampa Bay Bucs through the years.
Keith also had many friends in Jacksonville, especially Richard and Cheryl Haig and their families, Vicki and Karen Miller, John Hoblit, Cathy Nelson, Beverly and Jerry Campbell, Shirley and Tom Shevada, Linda Cuochot, their family, Senada and Denis Sejdic, and their family. He had many more friends, especially through the years working at Burger King. Please know that you are all special to Keith and to his wife. Keith treasured his friends in Jacksonville who welcomed him with open arms when he first moved there and continued to befriend him through the decades there.
He was preceeded in death by his father George A. Reilly and by his mother, June Christine Mallory Reilly. He greatly missed them both. He was also preceeded by his Sister, Elizabeth, “Liz” Reilly who he shared many happy times as both lived near each other in Jacksonville.
Keith leaves behind his wife and soul mate, Mary Swinney Reilly. They started dating in Tampa Florida and they married on August 7th, 1982 and have lived for many years in the Arlington area of Jacksonville. Keith and Mary have been entwined in each other’s lives since 1977 and have had many wonderful times and happy memories together. They traveled together to many places, attended many music concerts together but were happiest when they were just at home with their pets.
Keith leaves behind his Brother, Patrick, who he was very close to. He also leaves behind his Sisters, Debbie Nordstrom and Lilian Reilly. He told me many stories of the “5 Reilly Kids” and their many adventures, (and a few miss adventures), over the years. Keith loved his sisters deeply and he showed his love with both hugs and lots of teasing! He always appreciated how his big sisters looked out for him, especially Debbie. He and his brother Patrick were together all the time and they were both Boy Scouts.
Keith liked the outdoors and he was particularly interested in the weather. Weather and mother nature’s awesome power always fascinated Keith. His greatest hobby was learning about the weather, monitoring the weather and experiencing hurricanes. Besides football season, Keith loved hurricane season and would monitor storms weeks before they landed or simply spun out in the ocean. He never wanted anyone hurt by one but simply was awestruck by the force of nature.
Brother’s in law, Richard Nordstrom and David Swinney. Sister’s in law, Nancy Swinney, Laurie Swinney, Anissa Swinney. Nephew, Michael Reilly, wife, Darlene Reilly, their children, Cody, Emily, David and Hannah and Keith’s Great- Great Nephew Xander. Keith also leaves behind his Aunt Barbara Reilly, Nephew Sean Reilly and Cousins Denice McConnell and her family and Alice Warren and her family.
Keith was recently preceeded in death by Brother in law, John D. Swinney Jr. Keith was very proud of his Nephew, Jonathan Swinney, John’s son. He will be missed by Jonathan and his Fiancé, Melissa Thomas. Keith will also be missed by his two Nieces, Kelsey Fornoff, (Chris Fornoff), and Jessica Swinney, (Danny Chavez). Keith’s Nephew, Nicholas Swinney, (McKenzie Hester), and many Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews including Richard, (Bear), Tristan, Braxton, Oaklee, Theo, Noah and most recently his new Niece Madlynn. He loved his brother, sisters, all in-laws and all of his family so much and although he may not have seen everyone often, he was always eager to hear from them.
Keith was especially fond of his Brother-in-law, David Swinney and they had many adventures over the years. He missed his Brother-in-law John Swinney Jr. who passed last summer along with his Mother-in-Law, Antonia Swinney. Keith was also sad to have lost his Father-in-law, John Swinney Sr. the previous year. Keith loved his little Great-Niece, Trinity, who proceeded him in death several years ago.
Keith had a very large extended family on his wife’s side and was an Uncle to Brandy Foster, (Laurie Swinney) and to Joan Sterling (Nancy Swinney). He leaves behind Great-Nephew, Braxton, (Joan Sterling). He was so happy to welcome his extended family, including Nieces and Nephews, (from Brandy Foster), including Kayla and Kyle Mabesoone, and Donald Parks Jr. Keith leaves behind Great-Nephews, (from Kayla Mabesoone), Steven, Ryan and Logan Petros.
Special mention to family members, on his wife’s side, who live in Alabama and in Illinois whom he knew and loved as well. He considered every Aunt, Uncle and Cousin of his wife’s as one of his own. Keith had many, many friends especially in Jacksonville, Florida, where he lived most of his life.
Services are Saturday, May 8th. Family gathers at 9a.m. Friends of the family are invited to gather at 10a.m. for a personal viewing followed by the Chapel service at 11a.m. Internment service at Memorial Park, in St. Petersburg, immediately following the chapel service. Please come to honor Keith’s life. We ask you, please, to wear masks and practice social distancing inside the building.
What’s your fondest memory of Keith?
What’s a lesson you learned from Keith?
Share a story where Keith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Keith you’ll never forget.
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