Contributions to the tribute of Kenneth William O'Reilly

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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Fond Memories of Ken from Rod Satter. I remember the time that I organized a fly in fishing expedition to Gardener Lakes north of Fort McMurray Alberta. Ken and Dave Taylor agreed to go. We all drove up on the Friday to catch the float plane around 1:00 PM. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and the flight into the lake was perfect. After landing we set up camp, had a few beers then jumped into the three rental boats to try our luck at fishing. I remember Ken standing up at the front of his boat gliding along on the big lake saying with his arms stretched out “This Land I proclaim to be O’Reilly land.” We then proceeded to catch fish sometimes all three of us had one on the line all at the same time. The evening turned out super hot and dry. We jumped into our pup tents with many sweet dreams of the anticipated fish we were going to catch over the next few days. The scheduled float plane was 1 1/2 days away from picking us up. Life was easy. The next morning we woke up to grey skies, wind and rain. We couldn’t fish as the waves on the lake were 3 feet high. A fire was impossible as every burnable piece of wood was soaked. The temperature was around 50 Fahrenheit. The final hour 1 1/2 days later we were all packed up sitting on the shore ready to be picked up. The float plane arrived right on time but flew over us with a slight roll to the right, then to the left. He couldn’t land on the lake because the waves were too big. The weather was slightly improving at the time so we sat and waited. 3 hours later the plane came back and landed. All three of us jumped in to some much needed heat for the flight back to Fort McMurray. At McDonalds we all proceeded to order 3 hamburgers each. All three of us made a pact to never again go in on a fly in fishing trip without having the correct food, clothing and tenting equipment to withstand the elements. Ken and I always got along well. But after this experience we developed a special bond that lasted our lifetime. I think he trusted me probably more than most. I remember laughing a lot at Ken’s Jokes that he loved to tell. Not only were we cousins but we remained good friends. We could just pick up the conversation from visit to visit so easy and laugh about the old times. I will miss my favourite cousin Ken, he was a terrific, one of a kind guy. Rest In Peace Ken we will miss you.

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David Taylor posted a condolence

Thursday, November 29, 2018

... "May the road rise to meet you, and the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm on your face. and the rains fall softly on your fields." I couldn't count the number of times Ken would quote that favourite, gonna miss that, and when I do hear it going forward, I will remember you fondly my friend. I considered Ken to be my best friend in those formidable years from 15 to 25. Together, we perfected many a skill from snooker, to forging ID's(on that day the government dropped the drinking age to 18, we were still 17, skipped that afternoon's last two classes, and hit that bar(Imperial?)on Railway and Central to test out the ID's), to learning how to order beer(and I quote "fill the table please and keep it full" you could get about 30 of those 20cent draft glasses on one of those small bar tables), to learning how to eat PB&J sandwiches sitting on the floor of that 16th? Avenue party house, eating them after the bar sitting on the floor with one of those coal oil lanterns we had borrowed from street construction crew down the street-needed that light as the city had cut off the electrical), to running electrical ( had to run an extension cord across to the neighbour's outside outlet so we could cook our KD on the little electric stove, to hitting the White Spot, to hitting on the many girls(Something Ken seemed to be a natural at), to Three Dog Night tambourine parties under those blue lights at the 16th Ave. house. , to navigating the great Bow River in our rubber dinghy (to keep the beer cold, Ken thought why not tie a few of the ropes to the beer bottle necks and lower them down in the water-great idea until we started to hear what sounded like depth charges going off, would have thought that was funny BUT it was our beer), to rolling "dry" smokes(the 2 of us unemployed at the time, reverted to grabbing a bunch of used butts from the car ashtrays, squeezing out the remaining tobacco to come up with 3 or 4 beauties). As I write this, the memories keep coming and I choke up. Those were good times if not the best of times, and Ken, you were the best person I could have spent them with.

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Donna Tona lit a candle

Friday, November 23, 2018

Ken, I didn't know you like everyone else as I came into the family when everyone was settled in their own lives, but I appreciated your confidence in me when your brother was so ill and your words of support I won't forget. Lyndon loved you so much and he appreciated your last words to him of which he saves and cherishes. You are now where you are strong and young and full of a free spirit. Spread the Irish Brother-in-law and let the Angels laugh.

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Nancy Crow posted a condolence

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Whenever I saw Ken he would always have the biggest smile that would light up a whole room. He was a gentle soul and one of the best storytellers ever. He truly was a wonderful Cousin and he will be missed by everyone who knew him! Rest In Peace Kenny

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The family of Kenneth William O'Reilly uploaded a photo

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Kenneth William O'Reilly

1952 - 2018