Russell Reilly

Russell John Reilly, 55, of Greenwood Village passed away on August 21, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Lewis Reilly, three children, Maggie, Erin and Nolan, and a brother, Richard. Russ was born in Point Pleasant, NJ on March 11, 1961 to Margaret (Farrelly) and Richard Reilly.

Russ graduated from Monsignor Donovan High School in Tom's River, New Jersey and Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. His career was in Food Service Management until he started teaching in the Culinary Arts Department at Keiser University in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. He found a new passion in teaching and won a Distinguished Teacher Award while at Keiser University. Once in Colorado, Russell taught in the Culinary Program at The Art Institute in Denver.

Russell admired police work and volunteered with the Bradenton Police Department in Florida for many years in the Volunteers with Police (VIP) program. He received the President's Volunteer Service award for his volunteer time with VIP. Russ completed the Greenwood Village Citizen's Police Academy and loved his "ride alongs" with the local police officers. Russ also completed the Colorado Mounted Rangers training and served as a volunteer with CMR.

Russ loved baseball and his favorite team, the New York Yankees.

Russell was predeceased in death by his brother, Glenn Reilly and parents, Peg and Rich Reilly.

A special thanks to all the excellent professionals that cared for Russ over the past year and a half including the nurses, CNAs, doctors and staff at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Dr. Benjamin Yang, Dr. Richard Drexelius, Olga Velvick, RN and Amanda Court, Physical Therapist.

Services will Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Horan & McConaty Chapel, 1091 South Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80246.

Memorial donations can be made to Camp Wapiyapi at www.wapiyapi.org