James Reilly

4th Child James (Jim) Reilly

There were 4 noticeable characteristics about Jim Reilly.

1. Jim was an imposing figure. He was at least 6 foot 3 and a strapping build. 2. He had a remarkable resemblance to his younger brother Des. 3. His speech had an Irish twang. He was 16 years old when his father died, and being the oldest son, has obviously worked on the property with his Irish father, and picked up quite an Irish accent. 4. He had a larrikin sense of humour. Always looking for a laugh.

Jim never married. He stayed on the farm with his mother, Mary, until she died in 1982 at age of 93.

Jim then retired at the age of 69 when he sold the property in 1987 and moved to a small home in Tiaro.

Photo: Terry and Jo visited Jim (aged 87 here) in Tiaro1989.

He later moved into a Retirement Village in Gympie where he died on 5th July 2002 aged 89.

After his death, his good friend Tom Jones, who used to own the local store in Woolooga, sent me parcels of photos from Jim’s belongings over the next 3 years. Des has not been able to recognise many of the people in these photos. However, they do provide a really good record of people and the times.

Jim died on 5th July 2002 aged 89. - He had received a call that his younger sister Kassie was unwell and may not last much longer. - In an extraordinary coincidence, Jim died the next day and just one day before Kassie.

Kassie died on 6th July 2002 aged 75. - Des, with sons Terry and Martin, then flew to Qld for the 2 funerals in one day. - Attending Jim’s in Gympie in the morning and Kassie’s at Maryborough in the afternoon.

Jim and Kassie were both buried at Maryborough Cemetery near other family members.

Photo: Jim Reilly (L) at Show.