Daniel Joseph O'Reilly

Daniel Joseph O’Reilly, 61, of Myrtle Beach, SC passed away peacefully in the arms of the Lord on Sunday, November 16, 2025, after a long struggle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Lisa, and family members.

Born on September 5, 1964, to Barbara A. O’Reilly and the late Cornelius W. O’Reilly, Dan grew up on Long Island, NY and attended Wenonah Elementary School and Sachem High School, on Long Island.  At an early age, Dan discovered his life long passion for music when he picked up his father’s guitar.  He began playing a saxophone at age 9.  He received his B.F.A. in Music Education in 1986, and his M.A. in Music Composition in 1988, both from Long Island University/C.W. Post. 

Dan studied classical saxophone under Vincent Wright and learned rock and roll in various clubs.  From age 19 on, he performed in several bands, and opened for many national acts, including BB King, The Doobie Brothers, Lou Rawls, Frankie Valli, The Temptations, Delbert McClinton, and others.  He created, directed, and performed in “The Blues Train:  The American Rock and Roll Journey,” a theatre/concert production for The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach and at Disneyworld in Florida.

A highly respected lecturer in music at Coastal Carolina University since 2002, Dan also tutored many students in music on weekends, and performed locally at Travinia’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar in Market Common, Myrtle Beach, with his jazz quartet, “The Jazz Standard,” and his dear and talented wife Lisa, as vocalist.  Their loyal followers were serenaded with the finest jazz every Friday night for 18 years, and Dan will be truly missed. 

A man of deep and unwavering faith, Dan was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Murrells Inlet, SC.  He had served as music director there during his courtship of Lisa, and was not only instrumental in her conversion to the Catholic Faith, he also instructed her in the Faith.  In later years, he served as a catechist at times, and a sponsor to several other catechumens coming into the Faith, eventually becoming an engaging and persuasive apologist for the Faith.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Dan composed the hymn for the dedication ceremony of the new St. Michael’s church building in 2011.  He collaborated on two other hymns dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus, and to St. Joseph, with Father Stanley Smolenski, spma, (former—now retired—Director of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Joyful Hope), a close friend and spiritual mentor to Dan for several years until his retirement and return to his home archdiocese of Hartford, CT.

In addition to his many accomplishments in the field of music, Dan was a dedicated mentor and role model for many students at CCU.  He not only shared his faith, he lived it every day.  During his 11 year struggle with cancer, he was rarely seen without his rosary, even while teaching.  He served as faculty advisor for the Catholic Campus Ministry at CCU for several years, and was the music director for the Catholic Mass on campus. 

Numerous students were touched by Dan’s seemingly indefatigable enthusiasm for his subject, and his dedication to his craft.  As described by just one of his past students, “he didn’t just teach music.  He taught appreciation.  He taught curiosity.  He taught soul….He showed us how to listen, and how to feel the intention behind each note.  His legacy lives in every student he touched.” 

Dan stated that his greatest accomplishment was marrying his wife, Lisa.  Their deep love and devotion to each other were apparent to all, both in music and in life.  In addition to his passion for music and his deep Catholic faith, Dan was known for his courage, integrity, and love for others.  He will be remembered for his quirky sense of humor, his distinctive dapper attire, his openness to anyone he met, and his ability to spin a yarn as only an Irishman can.

Dan was predeceased in death by his father, Cornelius W. O’Reilly, and a sister, Diane C. O’Reilly.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa M. (Phelps) O’Reilly; his brother, Michael A. O’Reilly (Amy) of Rochester, NY; his brother, Kevin P. O’Reilly (Linda) of East Islip, NY; his sister, Noreen M. (O’Reilly) Hancheck (Kevin), of Surfside, SC; and his mother, Barbara A. O’Reilly, also of Surfside, SC.

Also left to cherish Dan’s memory are his sisters-in-law, Sandra J. Voveris of Manchester, NH; Jo-Ann Zall (Jeffrey A.) of Amherst, NH; Kathryn H. Young of Stony Creek, NY; Marlene R. Casillo, of Greenwood, MO; as well as an uncle, Arthur V. Hohmuth (Sharon), of Princeton, NJ, and several nieces and nephews. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Thursday, December 4, at 3:00 p.m. (542 Cypress Avenue, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576).  

A Visitation/Tribute will take place the evening before from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Burroughs Funeral Home (3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576), observing the following schedule: 

5:30 pm to 7:00 pm (Visitation/Greeting the family)

7:00 pm to 7:20 pm (Blessing of the Ashes)

7:20 pm to 8:30 pm (Tributes)

For those that are unable to attend, the Prayer and Tribute Service will be live streamed and can be viewed by visiting www.burroughsfh.com.  The Mass of Christian Burial can be viewed the day of the service by visiting www.saintmichaelsc.net

Those who wish to do so may send donations to:

Holy Family Farm                             -or-                                 Pax Bonum

97  Hilltop Road                                                                     16238 RR 620 North, # 369

Monticello, NY  12701                                                            Austin, TX 78717

www.holyfamilyfarm.org                                                         www.paxbonum.org

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at a later time, to be announced in the future.

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, SC (843.651.1440) is assisting the family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.