Jeff passed away on August 21st, 2023, after a courageous, 5-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Ipswich, MA to Gail and Jack Reilly, as the eldest of 4, Jeff gave them an orientation to parenting. Jeff spent his formative years in Marblehead, MA, where he made lifelong friends and developed an unwavering love for Boston sports, most notably the Bruins, Patriots, and Red Sox.

It was in the kitchen where Jeff found his passion and truly thrived. Jeff's pursuit of culinary excellence took him from the East Coast to New Orleans, San Francisco, Italy, France and, ultimately, to the West Coast where Jeff found his second home, spending three decades helping shape the landscape of Northern California's cuisine. Through Jeff's dedication to advancing his art of cooking, he became an award-winning chef, known to many as "Chef Jeff". Jeff's greatest legacy, however, was paying it forward, extending himself to mentor the new and up and coming chefs he worked with, inspiring them to make food to truly delight others.

Like air and water, music was an essential part of Jeff's life. He had a diverse taste in music and considered himself the DJ at any gathering. Jeff loved playing the drums and was thrilled to be invited on stage to join the band for a set and played with many of his buddies' "garage" bands regularly.

Jeff treasured his 62 years of a life marked by a positive outlook, unparalleled energy, and an insatiable spirit for adventure. From his early days playing street hockey and baseball, to the times he skied the Rockies and caught waves windsurfing in the Pacific, Jeff lived every day to the fullest.

Jeff is survived by his wife and soul mate, Noel Mechau; mother, Gail Reilly; son, Nick; siblings Kristin Lundstedt (John), David Reilly (Heidi), Tara Norris (Mike); nieces and nephews, Emily, Connor, Jack, Shea, and Ginger; and many dearly loved relatives and friends. Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Jack Reilly.

Jeff's warm heart and infections laughter are woven through the many memories that will forever live on in our hearts and put smiles on our faces. May you rest in peace, Jeff. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten.