Henry (H.T.) O'Reilly Henry Terrence (H.T.) O'Reilly, 87, died Oct. 8, 2000.

Henry was known to some as "Hank" and to others as just "H.T." He was born to Anna and Terrence O'Reilly on Oct. 4, 1913, in Columbus Hospital, Great Falls, Mont. The family lived north of Fort Benton on the family ranch. During O'Reilly hard times he went with his two brothers to stay with their aunt, Sister Clare of the Cross, at St. Joseph Orphanage in Great Falls.

Henry graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in education. He served in World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps. After the war he married Mary Meyer on Jan. 27, 1943, in Helena, Mont. They managed the Treasure State Motel for several years. In 1958 they moved with their four children into the home that he built at the north end of the Helena Valley. By 1961, their family had grown to six children.

Henry was a contractor who built and remodeled homes in the Helena area. He lived and breathed mining and owned a number of mining claims that he worked up until his death. H.T. was a hard-headed, opinionated man but he was honest and sincere. He was always willing to help anyone. He cared about things deeply maybe too deeply.

H.T. was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents, Anna and Terrence; and his brothers, Francis (Red) O'Reilly and Charles O'Reilly.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Mona O'Reilly of Mesa, Ariz.; daughters, Kathy O'Reilly and Maureen O'Reilly of Helena, Terryn O'Reilly of Costa Mesa, Calif., Shari O'Reilly of Long Beach, Calif., and Shannon and her husband, Scott Throm, of Astoria, Ore. His grandchildren and their families include: Sean, Tami, Kyle and Krista O'Reilly; Stacey, Steve and Shealee Petry; Stauna, Tracy, Mykella and Dani Jo Gardner, all of Arlee, Mont.; Chris and Tony Wilson, as well as Bridget Fleiner of Helena; Dillon, Daintry and Mary Jean Throm of Astoria, Ore.; Michelle Justin, Cody and Alan Gleich, Julie, Zachary and Ashley Engel of East Helena. Other relatives include Jenny and Lee Crawford, as well as Jacque Meyer of Helena.

Visitation will be from 12 noon until 8 p.m. Thursday at Retz Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will follow with military honors at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery.

The Independent-Record Helena, Montana • Tue, Oct 10, 2000 Page 7

Henry Terrence O'Reilly (1915)