Leadership Geauga recently announced D. Kevin O'Reilly will be honored as the 2016 Emerald Leader on the organization's 20th anniversary.Each year since 2001, Leadership Geauga…
Leadership Geauga recently announced D. Kevin O’Reilly will be honored as the 2016 Emerald Leader on the organization’s 20th anniversary.
Each year since 2001, Leadership Geauga has recognized community leaders who have significantly enhanced the quality of life in Geauga County.
“Those who have contributed to providing the Geauga quality of life that we hold so dear deserve to be rewarded,” said Bob Faehnle, executive director of Leadership Geauga.
The Emerald Leader Award, signifying Geauga County’s “Person of the Year,” is presented annually to an individual, a business and/or a nonprofit agency that exemplifies outstanding leadership by positive contributions through volunteerism, philanthropy or innovation impacting the quality of life in Geauga County.
Born May 5, 1942, in Cleveland, O’Reilly met his wife, Nancy, in 1965 on a bus trip to the New York City World’s Fair. They were married Oct. 15, 1966. Their family has now grown into 29 children and grandchildren, 24 who reside in Geauga County and five in Fayette County.
O’Reilly said he has 16 grandchildren and he’s planning on spending time with them as he “slows down” in his well-established legal practice.
“There’s lots of things they want to do with grandpa,” he said in a recent phone interview. Although he is 73, O’Reilly stays active and claims it is one reason he and Nancy have been happily married for nearly 50 years.
“My wife tells me ‘Get out of the house and go do something,'” he chuckled. “We’re still going strong.”
Lately he has been joining smaller groups, such as his men’s Bible study group that meets at 6 a.m. once a month.
“It’s very enriching. It makes you think a little differently,” he said.
One of his favorite endeavors is the Life Teen group at St. Helen’s Church in Newbury. About a dozen adults interact with teenagers, doing volunteer work for the less fortunate. Sometimes they will go do yard work for a senior who can’t get out much, he said.
“It gives the youngsters structure and direction, teaches them how to enjoy life in a good, clean, healthy way,” O’Reilly said, adding the adults dig in. “We’re right there working witht hem, getting our hands dirty.”
It is rewarding to see the young adults move on to higher education or start to get some on-the-job work experience because they have learned how to work with adults.
“I like to volunteer. I always have,” O’Reilly said.
After he graduated from Cleveland Marshall Law School, the O’Reillys moved to Hambden Township. O’Reilly established his law practice above Rickard’s Bakery on Chardon Square, later moving to a renovated house on Court Street. O’Reilly worked as an assistant prosecutor under Gene Henry from 1970 to 1971.
“Kevin has been a servant leader in Geauga County for 47 years. He has always given of his time and talents and has never expected anything in return,” Faehnle said, adding he also served as Hambden Township trustee from 1978 to 1982.
“He has always had the best interests of the people of Geauga County at heart,” he said. “Kevin’s service to the community began early on when he served on the board of Birthright in Chardon, including 11 boards or organizations in the community, never seeking the spotlight.
“Those of you who have been around Geauga County for a while might remember how Kevin would walk his cows with a rope to Jack Arnold’s farm for their honeymoons, or the time he drove his tractor to Chardon and tried to barter a pig for artwork at Struna’s Art Gallery,” Faehnle said. “The one word to describe Kevin would be integrity. He is honest and sincere and always serves others with a humble heart.”
Individuals who have been honored as Geauga County Emerald Leaders include Jeff Keener, Bill Prior, Gordon Safran, Dick Moss, Kimm Leininger, Tom Benda, Paul Newman, Howard Bates, Deborah O’Connor, Chuck Fowler, Kathy Leavenworth, Ed Babcock, Richard Frenchie and Sheriff Dan McClelland. Organizations include the Burton Middlefield Rotary Club and Geauga Humane Society/Rescue Village.
Leadership Geauga’s annual Emerald Ball will be March 5 at the Bertram Inn and Conference Center. Reservations can be made by calling the Leadership Geauga Office 440-286-8115 or at www.leadershipgeauga.org.
For further information or to receive an invitation, contact Leadership Geauga County at the above number.
