Thomas John Reilly died at his home in the morning hours of December 7, 2024. Tom enjoyed a happy and long life with his wife, Dayle Reilly, and their children, Carolyn and John Reilly. He brightened their days with small gifts from his frequent visits to Goodwill, second-hand stores, and antique stores. He rarely missed a Friends of the Palo Alto Library book sale, where he collected volumes on various topics such as landscaping, interior design, foreign countries, languages, and human biology. Tom loved his garden. He had a small house on a large beautifully landscaped lot. His garden was in the classic English style which he maintained and improved throughout the years.
Originally from New Jersey, Tom truly appreciated the great gardening weather of California. A biochemist, Tom moved to Palo Alto in the ‘60s to work for Stanford and then for NASA at Ames Moffett Field.
Tom always had a good movie recommendation… especially foreign films.
Tom is survived by his wife Dayle, his daughter Carolyn LoBuglio, his daughter-in-law Kelly Reilly (John), and five grandchildren, Dominic LoBuglio, Marisa LoBuglio, Melanie Reilly, Patrick LoBuglio, and Johnny Reilly. Tom is predeceased by his son, John Thomas Reilly, and his parents, Thomas and Eleanor Reilly.
Tom, you are sorely missed…
A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 3233 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, at 10:00 AM, on July 18, 2025. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Tom’s enthusiasm for gardening, please establish and nurture a plant in his honor.