Albert Perez O'Reilly

Albert P. O’Reilly, a devoted family man, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family at his bedside on Sunday morning on March 17, 2016, after a long struggle with late stage brain cancer. He was 78. A retired manager-director in the movie entertainment business, he got his start as an usher at a premier movie theater on the upper east side of Manhattan after immigrating to the United States in 1973 from Guyana. Like many other immigrants of the 1970s era, he held several menial jobs, including pulling massive racks of garment on the boisterous sidewalks of the Garment District in order to provide for his wife and children who remained in Guyana. A significant step down for a former insurance manager who was awarded for his outstanding salesmanship. However, he never forgot the reason he came to the U.S. or the sacrifices he made of having to leave his young family behind as he struggled to rise successfully to the level of leadership in his professional life. Though his career was varied, spanning life insurance to the entertainment industry, there was always one common thread that wove through the patchwork of his early career until his retirement as a managing director– Generosity of Spirit. He never forgot his struggle when he first arrived in the U.S. and he helped hundreds of new immigrants to get their first job and to settle in America. He carved a successful career in the movie theatre business and was instrumental in expanding the independently owned movie corporation, Cine 42, which he successfully expanded from one movie house into several theaters across New York City. In 1975, his wife and daughter joined him in the U.S. and in 1983 the rest of his children were granted permanent visas to join him to live on the Upper Westside of Manhattan. He loved his family immensely and went to great lengths and risks to ensure their happiness and safety. He and his wife shared a unique bond and a profound love that no one could pull apart. Memorable couples like Bogie and Bacall, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Lucy and Ricky, now “Sonny and Yvonne” could join their realm because they were as iconic a duo. They were married on May 29, 1959 in Georgetown, Guyana and had eight lovely children together. He had the special ability to have interests in common with each of his children. “I would call Dad in excitement when our favorite sports team scored while he was calling me at the same instance for the same reason”, said his son Andrew. Moreover, his love of family extended to several generations as he shared close relationships with grandchildren and great grandchildren who are now first and second-generation citizens of the United States. Upon retiring, he took up photography as a hobby. He devoted a lot of time and invested a lot of money on cameras, paraphernalia and photography classes to keep current on the latest trends and to improve his skills as an avid amateur photographer. He soon gained notice from family, friends, and acquaintances who wanted him to take portraits or group photos to capture precious moments. He never charged for his work even though it was costly and he produced professional looking pictures because he considered it a labor of love. He was big on color and painstakingly edited his collage of work. His life was well lived and he was an expert at most of the things he enjoyed. He was a skillful man and performed most of what he did with great care and stalwartness. A man of God, he enjoyed reading the Psalms and served as a deacon at First Baptist Church Poinciana. Towards his later years, he enjoyed reminiscing about his adventurous childhood where he was raised in a small village and his years as a soldier where he underwent military training in the deep jungle of Guyana. There are not enough words to express who he was and no one will be able to replace him or fill the void he leaves behind. He will be missed most notably by his close family and friends. Albert O’Reilly is survived by his wife, Yvonne, his children Brian, Colin, Lavern, Christopher, Deborah, Stephen, Andrew, and Sean, 36 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a sister, Shirley who lives in London, England and has four children. A Home Going Service will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, April 23rd at 11:00 A.M. followed by a repast at First Baptist Poinciana.

Albert Perez O'Reilly

September 10, 1937 - April 17, 2016