Memorial service for Garvin Reilly in Trim

Architect died suddenly in America in January, aged 51

There was great sadness in Trim and beyond following the news of the sudden death in Bardstown, Kentucky, USA, of Garvin Reilly from Avondale on 19th January last. Garvin was a talented artist with a deep love of music and learning, who for most of his career, worked as an architect.

Educated at St Mary's and St Michael's primary schools and St Michael's Diocesan Secondary School, Trim, Garvin graduated in architecture from Bolton Street Institute of Technology in Dublin, and went on to complete a degree in mathematics and architecture with the Open University.

His former employer, architect Christopher Flynn, said Garvin was a gifted artist, designer and mathematician.

"A testament to his work around Trim is Finnegan's Way," Mr Flynn said. Garvin also worked with Paul Carroll and Associates in Navan for four years, from 2005 to 2009.

In America, he enjoyed tremendous success with the Foxworth Galbraith Lumber Company, a family-owned building supplies firm, where he was responsible for the design and production of massively successful roof and floor trusses over a four year period, mostly in single family custom, with some commercial, working in El Paso, Texas, before moving to Bardstown, Kentucky.

Garvin had recently completed a book, 'Book in Stone', subtitled 'A Mathematical Reconstruction of the Great Pyramid of Giza', a project that reflected his lifelong intellectual curiosity. His true passion was pure mathematics, a subject that fascinated him deeply and informed much of his creative and academic thinking.

Garvin had been drawing and producing artwork since his teenage years, and designed the cover for the St Michael's Diocesan School Yearbook in 1991. He also played in a number of local bands as a drummer and percussionist - The Sauce Warriors, Zif Lever and Dub Struck among them. He was a member of Trim Drama Group for a period.

Online condolences recall a kind, fun, thoughtful and inspiring person, always quiet, unassuming and filled with depth, and hugely talented in art from a young age.

Garvin was predeceased in 1996 by his sister, Amy, and is survived by his parents, Dermot (Hector) Reilly, Avondale, and Maryanne Gosselin, Kentucky; sisters, Emily, Kentucky, and Bevin, New York, USA; nieces and nephews, Cail, Liam, and Niamh; and extended family and friends in Ireland and the USA.

Private Cremation took place in Kentucky. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday 28th March at 2.30pm in The Castle Arch Hotel, Trim to remember the life of Garvin.