CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of an endowment fund in memory of Judge John K. Reilly, Jr. The new fund will honor and continue Judge Reilly’s legacy of broad based support of Clearfield County communities.
Reilly was instrumental in establishing the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation in 2004 and served as a founding member of its governing board. He shared the vision of a community foundation, which is to enhance the quality of life in the community through the support of a broad range of services necessary to sustain the community and promote health, education, social welfare, public and urban affairs, arts and culture, conservation and the environment.
In many ways, the broad goal of the Foundation to improve the quality of life in local communities, mirrors Reilly’s spirit of community involvement. A lifelong resident of Clearfield County, he was a graduate of Clearfield Area High School. After graduating from Penn State University and the Dickinson School of Law, he returned to Clearfield to practice law. He served as district attorney for the county from 1964-1974 In 1975 he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a position he held for 30 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves.
Reilly was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Clearfield, where he was a Sunday school teacher and served several terms as a church Elder. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #540 for 50 years and John Lewis Shade Post #6 of the American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the Clearfield Fire Department. He was also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons of Clearfield Lodge #314 and belonged to a number of organizations within the Jaffa Shrine Club, including the International Association of Legions of Honor, and directed the Clearfield Shrine Oriental Band for 20 years. He was the first citizen of Clearfield County to be elected to the position of Potentate for the Altoona Jaffa Shrine Club.
The John K. Reilly, Jr. Fund is currently accepting initial gifts made by friends of Judge Reilly, and additional contributions can be made at any time. According to Kevin McMillen, Foundation president, “We are pleased that a fund has been established to honor the memory and community involvement of Judge Reilly. It is our hope that the fund will continue to grow and have a long-term positive impact on local communities.”
The Clearfield County Charitable Foundation welcomes inquiries from potential donors or those interested in establishing funds to benefit local communities and organizations. Additional information regarding the Foundation is available by calling (814)765-7682. Contributions to the John K. Reilly, Jr. Fund or any of the foundation’s endowment funds may be mailed to: P.O. Box 171, Clearfield PA 16830.