DREAMER, NATURALIST, INVENTOR
DANCER, EQUESTRIAN, ARTIST
CONSUMATE SNUGGLER
EXPLORER, ENGINEER
LOVER OF ALL

Todd Samuel Reilly II, known as Tj to all, was given his angel wings on January 9th, 2016 after a 16 month battle with Gliamatosis Cerebii, a rare brain cancer. In his final days Tj was surrounded by family, a loving team of caregivers, and his favorite songs filling the air. Tj touched us all with his strength, kindness, light, and love.
Tj is the first born son of Todd and Krissy Reilly and had the honor of being both a little brother to Caitlin, Rachel and Susiy and when he was 8 got to be a big brother to Rocco. Tj loved being a big brother and it quickly became a role he cherished.
Although Tj's illness left him tired at times, in pain and struggling with other symptoms, he never stopped living life to its fullest and he never complained. In the past six months Tj was able to visit Seattle where he got a private tour of the Space Needle, drove a fishing boat, went crabbing, rode the Ducks boat, and sat on the centerline of a Seattle Sounders soccer match. He got to meet his pen pal Andrew Minko. He was absolutely captivated by the Art of the Brick exhibit at the Franklin Institute. He visited an alpaca farm. He traveled to Hawaii for his Make- A- Wish trip. He toured Maui by helicopter, sat at the VIP table at a Luau, explored the ocean in a glass bottom boat and snorkeled. At Harvey Cedars he parasailed and had had an all-around fabulous trip with his Dad. At the end of most days his Dad, Mom and little brother would be found snuggling and asking each other 2 questions: "How was your day?" and "What was the best part?" Eighty percent of the time Tj's answer was snuggling!
Tj enjoyed anything in nature which he experienced on long walks and hikes with his Dad in Tyler State Park. Todd and Tj shared themselves openly and deeply with one another. Those hikes were filled with the kind of bonding only a father and son can experience. He was frequently found making fire rings and burning leaves with a magnifying glass. He loved going to Spruce Lake Wilderness camp and Harvey Cedars Bible Conference on summer breaks.
The arts were another big part of Tj's life. He began taking dance classes in the fall of 2013 at Elite Dance Academy. His father, noticing how much he enjoyed dancing around the house, forced him to just try it until Christmas that year. After the first lesson he came home with a smile he couldn't hide. Within 2 weeks he signed up for a second class. The following fall he added ballet to the jazz and hip hop classes he was already enjoying. Drawing was also a favorite hobby that he began to pursue more seriously when he started art lessons at Art In The Pod in Churchville this past fall. He came home from class every Tuesday night with a big smile.

Tj's studies were of the utmost importance to him as well. He dreamed of completing his high school education early and going to college. He was home-schooled his entire life and was on his way to becoming an engineer/inventor. He excelled in math and science. While he would have been a 6th grader in public school this year he was actually working on 11th grade Chemistry and Algebra II right up until the Christmas break. His abilities in these areas were not only beyond his years but also showed in his unique ability to design original Lego and origami creations and to build amazing worlds in Minecraft with his friend Nate Rodway. He dearly loved all the kids and teachers at his home-school co-op.
One of Tj's more recent pursuits was horseback riding at Cabin Run Equestrian in Pipersville run by the amazing Joy Walter. He loved his weekly Wednesday lessons at the farm and gained confidence and strength along the way. He entered a horse show this fall looking ever so dapper in his helmet, jacket and chaps. He proudly earned First Place in his division!
Tj also loved attending Access, his youth group at Davisville Church. While he enjoyed the fun and camaraderie, his favorite time of the evening was the teaching, singing and especially the small group time of sharing. His love for God was evident in his kindness and joy, two of Tj's Fruits of the Spirit.
With Tj's passing he has left his role as lifelong student and has now become our teacher. Through his passion and compassion, intellect and creativity, and his strength and gentleness he has left us gifts, lessons to be learned. May we honor his memory by realizing more of these qualities in our own lives.
Tj is survived by his parents Todd and Krissy Reilly of Holland, his siblings Rachel, 15, Susannah, 14, and Rocco, 4, of Holland and his sister, Caitlin Vivian, 27, of Philadelphia. Also surviving Tj are his paternal grandparents, Diane (Nanny) Reilly of Levittown and Francis (Pop Pop) Novia of Oxford, and his maternal grandmother, Jeann (Luli) Hudson of Lanham MD. His extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins will miss him as if he was their own son or brother.
Tj's heart will always be connected to each of us by an invisible string of love.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Davisville Church, 325 Street Rd. Southampton, PA 18966 followed by his Service at 1:30 PM. Interment private.