Edward Rip Reilly

Edward “Rip” Reilly, 94 of Lake Ariel passed away at home surrounded by his family and his companion Barb.

Born May 4, 1929 in Scranton Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Helen Ives Beers and the late Edward Reilly Sr. and attended Lake Consolidated School.

He began delivering milk at an early age to help support his family and later was employed as manager and driver for Laverne Shaffer Lumber & Pallets. Not one to sit around idly, after retirement he continued to work part-time as a courier for LA Bank and driving school students.  Adverse to any type of healthy food, you could often find him at McDonald’s, Coney Island, maybe an ice cream shoppe but most often at any local pizza restaurant.

A father of four daughters, he spent the majority of his life providing for his girls.  While a life in a family of all-women could appear challenging to many men; Eddie wouldn’t have had it any other way.  He loved his girls and they were his world.  He was exceedingly proud of each and every one of them, their accomplishments, the families that they built, as well as of his son-in-laws and grandchildren.  Be it at a hot-dog roast, a pizza party, or a birthday-party loaded with cake, he would rather nothing more than to be around them.  Solemn, but smiling, tough, but gentle; he loved his family, and they will always continue to love him.

Surviving are his daughters Penny Parkins and husband Robert of Elmhurst Township, Sandra Field and husband Dirk of Willow Spring, NC, Brenda Alfano and Husband Vito (Billy) of Madison Township, Michelle Reilly of Moscow, PA; grandchildren Dirk Field and wife Sunday, Curt Parkins and husband James, Cassandra Fishback and husband Jeremy, Kyle Parkins and wife Kalee, Alexandria Alfano; 6 great grandchildren; companion and caregiver Barbara Bowen Prompton as well as son-in-law Timothy Budnovitch and brother -in-law and sister in law Mike and Nancy Giberson.

He was preceded in death by sisters Delores Courtright and Beatrice Maines, brother Robert Reilly, grandson Cole Parkins, former wife Rev. Betty J. Reilly as well as his beloved cat and best friend Buddy who passed away one week prior.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Edward’s life will be held on Friday August 4, 11:00AM at the James-Wilson Funeral Home, Gravity Road, Lake Ariel.  Friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 7PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Edward’s memory to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to and are under the care of the James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel, PA.