The funeral has taken place of Willie O’Reilly, the Portlaoise man who was well known in music and sporting circles and was a central figure in the Kinights Showband of the 1960s and 1970s. He was aged in his early 80s.
From the Borris Road in Portlaoise, Mr O’Reilly was a very talented musician from a young age.
“His musical talent brought joy to many people,” said his cousin, Fr Tom O’Reilly during his funeral mass in Portlaoise.
As lead guitarist with The Knights, a guitar was one of the gifts presented to the alter during his funeral mass.
But so too was a snooker cue, a couple of golf balls and a Portlaoise GAA jersey, all signifying his great love an interest in sport.
Mr O’Reilly worked in his younger years in Jessop’s Hardware in Portlaoise and later as a sales rep for Sanyo Electronics.
Willie was the dearly loved husband to Sheila, loving father to Adrian and Karen, cherished grandfather to Garry, Aaron, Ciara, Conor, Emma and Séan.
He is deeply regretted by his loving family, son in law Pat, daughter in law Audrey, brother Seamus, sister Eilish, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives and friends.
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