The Roderick (Erick) O'Reilly Memorial Graduate Endowment in the Humanities

Erick O'Reilly, of Burnaby and Qualicum Beach, surrendered to his illness and passed away on January 19, 2019. At 17, Erick departed from his village of Chapelizod, Ireland. He travelled across the Atlantic in steerage with only £10 in one pocket and boundless optimism in the other. Then fate had his path merge with that of a beautiful young nurse, Joan Carbrey, from Peterborough. Marriage and a very full and wonderful life followed, as did their children, Rod aka “Rory” and Collette.

Erick also worked on the DEW Line, was president of the Jaycees in Dorval, and later volunteered with Burnaby Minor Hockey. He had a rewarding career with Northern Telecom and he and his family made a home in Burnaby. Erick was a life-long learner who had a “need” – like we need air and water – to engage and talk with others. This led to 2 degrees from Simon Fraser University after he retired, including his Masters. He was a proud Canadian, and yet an Irishman at his core, always with a laugh at the ready and a thoughtful question on his mind. He will be sorely missed.

Erick is survived by his wife, Joan, son Rod and his wife, Janet, and their children, Julia and Russell, and his daughter, Collette and her husband, Mike. Also a loving extended family in Ireland including his sisters, Collette and Phyllis, and his brother, Tony, and in Canada including brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Linda, Suzanne, and Bob. Gratitude for their care and humanity is extended to Erick’s amazing medical network in the community.

The Roderick (Erick) O'Reilly Memorial Graduate Endowment in the Humanities was established in 2019 with a generous gift from his son, Rod, in memory of his father. The award will support graduate students who are enrolled full-time in the Master of Arts program in the Department of Humanities.