Obituary of David F. Reilly, Jr.

David F. Reilly, Jr. of Hilton Head, South Carolina, passed away on April 5^th, 2023. David was born on March 4^th, 1936 to David Sr. & Agnes Reilly in Brooklyn, New York, and was the oldest of seven siblings. He was 87 years old. He attended St. Frances Prep High School in Brooklyn. David was a proud Navy veteran having served from 1957 through 1962, when he was honorably discharged.

David had a long career in the newspaper industry working for the New York Daily News and the New York Times before he retired in 2001. He and his wife Thelma also owned and operated a restaurant – The Upper Crust – from 1995-2002, located in the Pocono Region (Lakeville) of Pennsylvania.

In 1965 he met and married Thelma (Candon) of Sheffield, England. They had two daughters, Julie (Reilly) Rochester (Marquette, MI) and Diane Reilly (Hilton Head).

David and Thelma moved to Hilton Head in 2004. He embraced the area from the moment of his arrival. He enjoyed golfing with his family and friends at many courses on the island, tinkering with his 1986 Mercedes, and enjoying “happy hour” at his favorite hang outs!

David was preceded in death by his wife Thelma (2020), his parents – David Sr. and Agnes Reilly, and his brother, Charles. He is survived by his daughters Julie Rochester (Glen) and Diane Reilly (Charles Stundzia), his grandchildren Avery Elsner (Austin) & Oliver Rochester, and his great-granddaughter Eleanor Elsner. His is also survived by his brothers Brian, Michael and Kevin and his sisters Dorothy and Eileen.

Visitation services will be held Monday, April 17^th 11am-1pm, with a brief service at 1pm at the Island Funeral Home (4 Cardinal Rd. Hilton Head, SC). The burial will follow at approximately 2:15pm at Six Oaks Cemetery (175 Greenwood Dr. Hilton Head, SC).