William F. Reilly, 70, of Quogue and Manhattan died on Friday, October 17, after a battle with prostate and bone cancer. The former chief executive officer and chairman of Primedia, he was a successful media executive, philanthropist, collector, veteran, and mentor to many friends and colleagues.
Mr. Reilly began his career as a financial analyst and assistant to Peter Grace, the chairman and CEO of W.R. Grace & Co. and was appointed president and CEO of the company’s textile, sporting goods, and home products divisions. Following his tenure with the company, Mr. Reilly become the president of Macmillan Inc., and was significantly involved in the company’s greatest period of growth in its 50-plus-year history.
After losing a battle to stave off a takeover of Macmillan by Robert Maxwell in 1989, Mr. Reilly co-founded, and became chairman and CEO of, what was to become Primedia, whose media properties included New York and Seventeen magazines and 200 other properties.
After leaving Primedia, he became a successful private equity investor in partnership with Providence Equity Partners, and most recently with Summit Business Media in partnership with Wind Point Partners.
In his commitment to helping the New York City community, his priorities were education and other philanthropic endeavors. He was a member of the board of trustees of Channel 13/WNET and Citymeals-on-Wheels and adopted Cardinal Hayes High School, where he funded the technology lab and raised millions for its benefit while mentoring individual students who showed great promise in potential business careers.
As an alumnus of Notre Dame University, Mr. Reilly was an active member on the board of trustees of the university and a member of its executive committee. He also drew on his publishing expertise as a member of the Harvard Business School Press board of directors.
With his great love and knowledge of history and the decorative arts, he collected Greek and Roman antiquities and English furniture. He had a passion for classical architecture and owned and restored an 1830 historic home in Quogue and a townhouse on Sutton Square in Manhattan. He enjoyed traveling in Europe, studying classical architecture and acquiring items for his homes. He also served as a first lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army.
Mr. Reilly was on the board of directors of Barnes and Noble, FMC, and BizBash Media. He was also the chairman of Summit Business Media and hosted the Swing Into Summer Southampton Hospital benefit for many years.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Ellen Chapman (née Lukie) Reilly; a daughter, Jane Reilly Mount; a son, Anthony Reilly; a sister, Betty Smith; and four grandchildren, Charles Reilly Mount, Scarlett Mount, Alexandra Reilly and William Francis Reilly III; and many nieces and nephews.
A wake was held on October 21 at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, and a funeral mass was held on October 22 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, both in Manhattan. Interment was private.
on Oct 21, 2008