Michael J. Reilly Jr.

Michael J. Reilly, Jr., age 81, of Crafton, died peacefully at home on June 14, 2023.  Dear husband of Carol (Petrella) Reilly for 49 and a half years. Beloved father to Jennifer (Sean) Reilly-McCardell, Heather (Jon) Barr, and Michael (Kelly) Reilly, III.  Loving Grandfather of Michael, James and Nicholas Reilly.

A Pittsburgh native and the son of Irish immigrants, he truly loved his hometown and his Irish heritage. Mike grew up in Perrysville and Greenfield, attending St. Rosalia's Grade School and St. Mary of the Mount High School.

After earning a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University in 1964, his early career focused on public relations and advertising for a number of companies in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, OH, and Grand Rapids, MI.  While working as a Marketing Manager for the H. K. Porter Company during the early 1970s, he met the love of his life, Carol.  

In 1979, he began a career in sports journalism and broadcasting as a writer for Pittsburgh Steelers Weekly and as a sports anchor and reporter at NBC Affiliate WTOV-TV in Steubenville, OH.  For five years at WTOV, he covered professional sports as well as high school and college athletics in Pittsburgh, Ohio, and West Virginia.

When WQED launched their sister station WQEX in 1986, he became a Producer and Host for a number of the station's local programs.  Each weekday, he led a television crew at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who would interview the newspaper's reporters about the stories they were covering.  They packaged these stories into the nightly news program, The News at 10.  He also produced and hosted several talk shows for the station covering the topics of sports, travel, pets, and law.  He hosted pledge breaks for both public television stations and worked on WQED programs such as The Great TV Auction and Pittsburgh's Original TV Stars.

He continued a freelance career in media and broadcasting as Sports Director for WPLW-Radio and as a reporter for United Press International, the Associated Press, and ESPN.  He spent the final years of his career as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates scoreboard crew, retiring in 2020.

Throughout a career marked by a strong work ethic and a pursuit for excellence, he was happy and proud to have crafted a profession that he loved.  Among the thousands of sporting events he covered were Penguins Stanley Cup playoff runs, Steelers postseasons, Pirates playoff games, U.S. Open Championships, and the 1994 and 2006 MLB All-Star Games.

A proud Pittsburgher, he found true joy in showcasing the very best of the city to out-of-towners and locals alike.  He enjoyed taking people around town and telling them stories about the region's history and its institutions.  Mike quickly became an unofficial City ambassador and tour guide whenever anyone asked him how they should experience Pittsburgh.  A ride on the Duquesne Incline, a walk around the Golden Triangle, an afternoon at the Carnegie Museums or the Nationality Rooms, and having lunch somewhere in the Strip District were typically on the docket.  His hope was that each person would come away with a feeling that Pittsburgh is a very special place full of great people.  

He was someone who will be remembered as gregarious, intelligent, outgoing, funny, and kind.  He could start a conversation with anyone and loved spending time with family and friends.  He was outspoken and always stood up for what he believed to be right.  His hobbies included photography, golf, playing cards, travel, attending concerts and lectures, and enjoying sports on TV or in person.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, June 17, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and Sunday, June 18, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Anthony M. Musmanno Funeral Home, Inc. 941 McCoy Road., Kennedy Township, PA 15136. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00am at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 50 W Crafton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Interment will follow at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers and for his passion for Catholic education, contributions in memory may be made to Our Lady of Sacred Heart School, 1504 Woodcrest Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108. 

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