John “Jack” Reilly

Jack may have presented a tough exterior, but he was a pussycat on the inside. His sense of humor was dry as a bone, and he had no problem telling you his opinion, especially if it had to do with the right to bear arms; he was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment.

Never one to do things half way, he took classes to become a Master Gardener; his Cinnaminson home boasted just about every imaginable plant. If you wanted to have him at 5 o’clock dinner, you had better tell him 3:00; Jack was always fashionably late.

His radio was always tuned to Imus and he loved hitting the open road on his Harley. Jack retired from the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 19, and served his nation in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Jack was a counter customer for many years at the Delrando Diner. His usual waitress was a young Deborah Cheeseman. It wasn’t long till they were inseparable. After a brief 37-year courtship, Jack decided that it might be time to get married. 11-11-11 seemed the perfect date to get engaged, though he may not have been as clear as he could have been about what he was asking Deb. She didn’t figure out they were engaged till the next day. Six months later they wed. He also is survived by his sister, Marie ‘Rene’ Borgmann (John), his brother, Francis ‘Frank’ (Diane); nephews, John and Stephen Reilly; and his mother-in-law, Alberta Cheeseman.

Come celebrate 73 unique years from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, where there will be an 11 a.m. service. Interment will be in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro.

Donations in lieu of flowers to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053, will be appreciated.