John was born in Glaslow, Scotland and was part of a distinguished family. He was the nephew of Matt McGinn(folksinger,actor and songwriter). He was very proud of being Irish and proud to be a birck layers. He was top boy in his class at St. Mungo's Academy in Glasgow, Scotland. John loved his mother, Helen McGinn O'Reilly very much. John is survived by his wife, Helen Havlin O'Reilly;three stepsons, Paul Sorvillo, Matthew Sorvillo and Michael Sorvillo; two grandchildren, damien and Scarlet Sorfillo;two brothers, James McGinn of Glaslow, Scotland and Michael O'reilly of Perth, Australia; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. He will be missed very much by his best friend, Tom McCafferty.