Thomas E. Reilly Sr., 90, of Allentown, died peacefully in his sleep Sept. 22, 2020.

He was married to his soul mate, and the love of his life, the late Rosemarie J. (Ehrlacher) Reilly for 60 years.

Born Sept. 1, 1930, in Allentown, he was the son of the late Joseph B. and Mary (Kern) Reilly.

He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era.

A Master Plumber by training, he, along with the late Dick Gray, were the first employees hired by H.T. Lyons Inc., in 1973, where he worked for the rest of his career. He was justifiably proud of his contributions to H.T. Lyons for more than two decades, and blessed to have Dick Gray and Ted Lyons as his lifelong friends.

An active member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield, upon joining the parish in 1974, he immediately devoted hundreds of hours of his time and skills helping build the church rectory.

He was an exemplary husband and father and a proud and loving grandfather.

Deeply committed to his wife’s brothers and sisters, he played an important role in their lives during their formative years and beyond.

The Ehrlachers loved and revered the man they called “Reilly” and after his wife’s death, remained his devoted caregivers, closest friends and extended family, all while continuing their almost 70-year tradition of constantly ridiculing him.

He will be remembered as a larger than life figure, with a beaming smile on his face and a laugh that filled a room, always.

His survivors include children Thomas E. Reilly, Jr. (Nina) of Allentown, Susan C. Reilly (Steven G. Buckley) of Wrentham, Mass., Scott T. Reilly (Lorrie) of Archbald; sister Bernice Dorney (William) of Emmaus; The Ehrlachers: Gordian, Edward (Eileen), William, Frank (Darlene), Thomas, Leo (Laurie), Dennis (Susan), Dolores (Chris) Guldner and Helene (Jack) Evans; grandchildren Morgan and Ian Reilly, Kellen, Emalee, and Jamie Buckley, Taralyn and Jack Reilly; and 26 nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield.

The Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Wargo and the Rev. Msgr. Joseph P.T. Smith will be concelebrants. Visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church endowment fund c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.