Thomas Charles O'Reilly

Biography

Early life O'Reilly was born on February22, 1873, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Patrick and Delia (née Readdy) O'Reilly. In 1887, O'Reilly enrolled at the Spencerian Business College in Cleveland. One year later, he transferred to St. Ignatius College in Cleveland. After graduating from St. Ignatius in 1893, O'Reilly decided to enter the priesthood. He then went that year to St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland .

Priesthood O'Reilly was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland by Cardinal Francesco di Paola Cassetta on June 4, 1898. In 1899, he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Propaganda University in Rome

Upon returning to Ohio, the diocese assigned O'Reilly as a curate at St. John's Cathedral Parish. In 1901, he was named a professor of dogmatic theology at St. Mary's Seminary. He earned a Doctor of Laws in 1909 from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. After finishing at Notre Dame, O'Reilly was named chancellor of the diocese in 1909. In 1916, he was appointed vicar general. He left his position as vicar general in 1921 to become pastor of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish. He received his episcopal consecration on February 16, 1928 from Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, with Bishops Joseph Schrembs and Bernard Joseph Mahoney serving as co-consecrators.

However, the increased burden of responsibility took its toll on his health, and his tenure was correspondingly shortened. O'Reilly died on March25, 1938, in Miami Beach, Florida, at age 65.