RIP – DAVID REIDY 1942-2024
OBITUARY
David George Reidy, 81, of Santa Ana, California, passed away on September 8, 2024. He was born on November 19, 1942, in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dianne Phyllis Reidy.
David attended LaSalle High School in Pasadena, California, and graduated in 1961.
His military service was from 1964 to 1970 in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he started his medical career, which he would continue for 60 years.
He began his career at Orange County Medical Center in the Army Reserve Unit, where he was hired as an orderly and then promoted to Autopsy Technician.
The county hospital became the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, and he worked there from 1964 through 2024. He was always proud to say that he and his wife, Dianne, had 97 years of service to UCI.
During most of those 60 years, he held the position of Anatomic Pathology Manager and specialized in training the resident physicians in autopsy procedures. Around 1987 he was asked to be involved with procurement for a new Alzheimer’s research program, today known as UCI MIND.
He reluctantly retired in 2004 after 40 years. The retirement officer asked him why he had waited so long. The answer became evident when they asked him if they could hire him back part-time. He couldn’t wait to sign up! He continued working with the residents on autopsy procedures and with the procurement for UCI MIND.
David met his wife Dianne at the hospital in 1969, when she began working as an account clerk. Dianne likes to tell the story of him showing up in front of her parents’ house in a yellow sports car (his second classic car) and her mother asking, “Who’s that boy out front?” He was relentless in the chase, as he also followed her to Disneyland, where she and her girlfriends spent weekends at the teenage dances.
They were married on September 14, 1973, at Holy Family Chapel in Orange, California.
Not like most young couples blessed with children, they began their married life collecting antiques, namely a piano for their living room. Then came music boxes, phonographs, and nickelodeons. They joined music collector’s clubs: Automated Music Instruments Collector’s Association (AMICA), Musical Box Society, and Antique Phonograph Society.
Because they enjoyed the old dance music and dressing vintage, they joined a vintage dance class and went on to dance at many ragtime and jazz festivals.
They became interested in old Hollywood movies and attended many Hollywood autograph shows, where they met Margaret O’Brien (once a child star) and many other movie celebrities. They collected well over 100 personal autographed photos that they beautifully display on their hallway walls.
THEN! Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park closed its doors in 2005. David and Dianne attended the auction of hundreds of wax figures. This was life-changing. David purchased several to the point that another attendee asked Dianne if they had a museum. Her reply “Ah, yes, I guess we do now!” David continued the hunt for more celebrity and famous wax figures over the next 17 years. They have entertained many curious friends, from Shirley Temple to former President Trump. Of course, their house had “no vacancy,” so eventually, they had to annex part of their collection to a small museum where David created a mini Movieland and housed his antique cars. This was a milestone.
Throughout all of his collecting, automobiles remained his first passion. He has belonged to many car clubs, including Packards International, Classic Car Club, Antique Automobile Club, and the Buick Club of America.
David was quite a storyteller. As many of you know, he could talk to you about his life, growing up, his school days, his army years, his work-related stories, their vintage dancing, meeting the Hollywood stars, collecting and creating a museum that told a story of David Reidy. A man with a mission accomplished.
The service was held at Saddleback Chapel Funeral Home in Tustin starting at 10:00 am.
It was a simple but elegant service.
Many friends brought their cars to the service and parked them out in front of the chapel. Each vehicle has a story to tell.
His friends brought their cars.
The Honor Guard from the American Legion, located on Balboa Island in Newport, honored his military service.
The American Legion accomplished the flag ceremony
Ten speakers had stories to tell about David, and they all rang true. Robert Escalante of Custom Auto Service did an excellent job.
Many friends stood up and spoke about David.
Mary decided to say a few words at the last minute, and she did it very well while fighting back tears.
Mary kept her composure the whole time.
The service was over at noon, and we headed to Highway 39 Event Center, which was very close to UCI Medical Center and just off State College Boulevard South. Inside, it was loaded with classic cars.
We departed the chapel at 12:30 and headed to Highway 39 Event Center
Many items at the mortuary were also brought to the center for display. The house was packed and we dined on hot dogs and hamburgers, David’s favorite foods! Stories were told and retold.
More cars.
Almost 200 people were participating in the honoring of David, including a family from Oregon who drove down for the event.
Dianne’s sister and family were there.
We went to Carolas Restaurant later in the evening. We were supposed to meet Vicky and Jim at the Elks, but we invited them to the restaurant to meet family.
Vicky joined us for dinner.
The evening was joyful, and lots of memories were shared.
