Hugh O’Reilly began 57-year bond between U.S. Army Wolfhounds and Osaka Catholic orphanage

Hawaii Catholic Hugh F.X. O’Reilly, who in post-war Japan initiated the now-famous relationship between the U.S. Army Wolfhounds and the Holy Family Home, a Catholic orphanage in Osaka, died on Oahu on June 23. He was 91.

Himself known as the “Gentle Wolfhound,” O’Reilly’s charitable efforts became the subject of numerous articles in magazines such as Life, Time and The New Yorker, television documentaries in both the U.S. and Japan, and a major Hollywood movie.

In 1960, Emperor Akihito of Japan bestowed on O’Reilly the Sacred Treasure of Japan. World-famous author James Michener singled him out as one of two Americans who made a lasting impression in Japan.

The relationship between the Wolfhounds of Schofield Barracks and the children of Holy Family Home has continued for 57 years, from 1949 to this day. Over the years, a number of Hawaii families have adopted children from the Osaka orphanage. This week four children from Holy Family Home arrived for a two-week home stay with the Wolfhound families.

O’Reilly was active in the community as a vice president of Bank of Hawaii and a member of the Board of Water Supply. He was also the first non-Japanese chairman of the board of directors for the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, on which he had served 11 years.

O’Reilly’s funeral Mass, celebrated at Schofield Barracks on July 7, was attended by local and Japanese dignitaries, nuns from Holy Family Home and local families who have adopted children from the orphanage. He was interred at Schofield Cemetery.

O’Reilly is survived by his wife Yuko, six children and 14 grandchildren.