In an e-mail sent to the Wesleyan community Wednesday, Dean of the College Maria Cruz-Saco announced the death of Brendan O’Reilly ’07. He passed away in Arizona on Monday, September 5 as a result of serious injuries sustained in a biking accident six days earlier.
“It’s certainly a tragedy and it’s one of those nightmarish tragedies that affect all members of a community whether or not they knew the student personally,” said Director of Communications Justin Harmon.
O’Reilly, who hailed from Fair Haven, NJ, was active in the French and chemistry departments and received a CRC award for his outstanding chemistry work.
“Brendan was here for three semesters and in that time he proved himself to be a true Wesleyan student,” said Dean for the Class of 2007 Lisa Gates.
“He was about to return to Wesleyan and declare a chemistry major,” said Professor of Chemistry Wallace Pringle. “He was doing research with Professor Westmoreland as a sophomore, and he was just a very, very active, interested and interesting student.”
“He was just a pleasure in a headband,” said Jess Chayes ’07, who lived in Hewitt 8 with O’Reilly her freshman year. “So incredibly sweet and friendly and energetic and affectionate. He is someone I could never forget.”
Brendan is survived by his father Brian, his mother Gail, his brother Paul, and his sister Mary. Because they are less familiar with the part of his life spent here, they have requested that anyone with stories write them down and send them to Lorna Scott, administrative assistant to the Dean of the College.
The family is still in the process of making funeral service arrangements, which will be held in New Jersey. When finalized, plans will be posted on the Dean of the College’s website. Students interested in attending should inform Scott, who is handling transportation arrangements.
The University is planning an on-campus memorial service for those who cannot travel to the funeral but wish to gather together to remember O’Reilly.
“This is the kind of experience that reminds us how precious life is and the importance of cherishing life and each other,” Gates said.
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