Obituary of Michael Patrick Reilly, Sr.
Michael Patrick Reilly, Sr., passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023. He was born in Chicago, IL on June 1, 1964 and grew up in Miami, FL and then Braidwood, IL. Michael was a graduate of Reed Custer High School.
In 2015, Michael retired from the Joliet Police Department as a Master Patrol Officer, badge #240, after 27 years of dedicated, protective service. During his long career, he was the recipient of 45 commendations, 33 division recognitions, 24 unit merits, and 2 life-saving awards. Michael was also awarded Officer of the Year through both the VFW and the Exchange Club and received Officer of the Month 8 times.
Michael was a long time youth sports coach in Joliet and a diehard Joliet Catholic Football fan. He spent several years mentoring the younger generation in developing their team skills by coaching 8th grade basketball at the Cathedral of St. Raymond and St. Paul the Apostle, youth fast-pitch softball for the Joliet Softball Association, and will be remembered by the Joliet Raiders youth football program with having never lost a game!
Michael always led an active life. Early in his policing career, he could be found power lifting at Rudy’s gym with co-workers. For the past 20 years, if he wasn’t enjoying his workouts at the Inwood Athletic Club, he could be seen riding his bicycle for miles through neighboring towns, local forest preserves, and various bike trails.
Along with being active in the community in which he protected, Michael loved the life he built with his family. When he wasn’t traveling to his favorite town Gatlinburg, TN, he was tending to his yard work and adding to his elaborate collection of his wood carvings that he was so very proud of. After retirement, he loved spending time with his beloved grandchildren who referred to him as their GaGa. Michael will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him.
Michael is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Suzanne Marie (nee Wilson) Reilly; two daughters, Kayla (Matthew) Murphy and Danielle (fiancé Lance Chmielewski) Reilly; one son, Michael Patrick Reilly, Jr.; grandchildren, Bryce Chmielewski, McKenna Murphy, Colton Murphy, and twin girls on the way; his mother, Karen May Duchoslav; and his siblings, Gina Wills, Serina Steglich, and Tracy Reilly. Numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
He is preceded by his step-father, Tobias “Dutch” Duchoslav; maternal grandmother, Santa Wolske; and his uncle and aunt, Daniel and Vivian Bernd.
Funeral Services for Michael Patrick Reilly, Sr. will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park I. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Police Walk Through at 4 p.m.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
