Born in Staten Island, New York, Dennis “Ace” Reilly was the third of six brothers born to John and Margaret Reilly. At an early age, he showed tenacity and a gift for athletics. He earned two degrees in physical sciences and excelled in football at Missouri Valley College, where he was voted MVP in 1975 and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. His career began as a history teacher and football coach. In 1976, he was fortunate to sign with the NY Giants but was released during pre-season to become a professional boxer, actor/model, comedian, international fitness presenter, and much more; but Dennis wasn’t quite settled.

His father and oldest brother were police officers with the NYPD. Dennis always knew he wanted to dedicate his life to helping people and was proud to finally be “home” when he joined the FDNY in 1983. His tenure began in Coney Island at Engine 245/Ladder 161, and his final home was Engine 156 on Staten Island. Dennis was the nozzle man who was never afraid to run into a blazing inferno. He was called the “Fighting Fireman,” and the guys loved to tell the story of when they hired two buses to watch Dennis fight at the Atlantis Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. He won that night but regretted missing the infamous bus ride, because it was all they talked about for the next two weeks.

Dennis worked through the early morning hours after the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, and returned to Ground Zero search and rescue operations for many weeks thereafter. Giving back, he engaged in numerous fundraisers to help the families of the fallen, including two FDNY and NYPD charity boxing matches. Dennis had been retired from boxing for ten years, and his opponents were 20 years his junior. One opponent was the “White Rhino,” who recently beat the Irish police champ. All odds were against Dennis, but it didn’t stop him. His heart was giant.

Dennis retired from the FDNY in 2003 and moved to Florida with his wife, Cindy, where he pursued his writing passion. He published his first book and was working on a second publication prior to his death. In February 2020, Dennis was diagnosed with 9/11-related cancer and passed away at home on February 14, 2021.

Dennis lived his life big, with gusto, grit, and compassion. He was known for his bravery, strength, athletic ability, humor, compassion, and empathy. Dennis loved his furry kids with intense compassion and was a devoted and loving husband. He was Cindy’s gentle giant and love of her life. Dennis is tremendously missed every day by so many whose lives he inspired and hearts he touched.