Article: Col. Jack Reilly, city ex-director of special events

Col. Jack Reilly, Mayor Richard J. Daley's flamboyant, controversial and fiercely loyal director of special events for more than 20 years, died of a heart ailment Sunday morning in Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 89.

Once described as the "godfather, protector and fierce friend of the Daley family," Col. Reilly was an outspoken, innovative and sometimes outrageous majordomo of Chicago's special events.

"He regarded Mayor Daley as not just his boss, but his close friend," said Col. Reilly's widow, Herta, a German-born former ballerina who had been married to Col. Reilly for more than 40 years.

"He was a wonderful, understanding man. He loved his job, and he loved ...

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