Obituary of Richard Riley

RILEY, Richard Douglass Age 83, died peacefully on October 15, 2011 in the presence of his loving family. Born March 6, 1928 to Bernice (Stoddard) and Douglass Riley, Dick lived nearly all of his life in his hometown of Montour Falls where he was actively involved in the fabric of his community. He and wife Barbara were well-known as the operators of Riley's Soda Bar on Main Street from 1963 to 1970. As the father of six daughters, he worked two or more jobs at a time much of his adult life including Pennsylvania Railroad dispatcher, OMCS school bus driver, Montour Falls village police officer, Shepard Niles foreman, and Town of Montour sign-maker among many. He was a proud past chief of the Montour Falls Fire Department, a village justice, a life-long member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and a US Navy veteran. Dick was prized as a father, husband, and friend and will be dearly missed. Dick is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years Barbara Perry Riley of Montour Falls; daughters Christine (Mark Feldman) Riley of Syracuse, Joy (Charlie) Ector of Watkins Glen, Roberta (Randy) Wingate of Bradford, Suzanne (Stanley) Casselberry of Montour Falls, Lisa (Dale) Stephens of Hampton, VA, Ronna Jo (John) Collins of Newfield; grandchildren Allison Bellamy, Jesse Wheeler, Jeremy Wheeler, Trevor Angle, Peggy Filkins, Chad Ector, Ben Wingate, Matthew Stephens, Adam Stephens, Leigh Ann Collins, Kaleb Collins, Judah Stephens; and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brother Donald (Beverly) Riley of Odessa, brother-in-law Glenn (Nancy) Perry of Cincinnati, OH, and his nieces and nephews. Dick was predeceased by brother Jack Riley in March 2011. The family will greet friends and relatives at Vedder and Scott Funeral Home, Genesee Street, Montour Falls on Tuesday, October 18th, 4-7 pm with a memorial service at 7 pm. Burial is scheduled for 10 am on Weds. October 19th at Montour Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Montour Falls Fire Department Rescue Unit, P.O. Box 369, Montour Falls, or to Seneca View "Family of Friends" Fund c/o Schuyler Hospital Health Foundation, PO Box 828, Montour Falls.