Obituary of Richard Earl Riley

Richard Earl Riley Sr., 72, left our world peacefully on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Saranac Lake on Oct. 31, 1947 to Helen and Howard Riley and attended the local schools. The family was active in the Catholic church and Richard was an altar boy. He graduated Saranac Lake High School in 1965 and attended college at Canton ATC before enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served from April 1966 to April 1969. He worked in Burlington, Vermont from June 1969 to September 1971 before enlisting in the U.S. Army once again. He made the Army a career and retired on Jan. 1, 1989. Upon his retirement from the Army, Richard worked for Sunmount DDSO for 9 years. Many will remember him as the CSEA union president. While in the Army, Richard served in Vietnam. He worked for the Department of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Warfare as well as being a paratrooper instructor. He received many medals and awards during his service. He would tell you that he was on one of the last planes to leave when they “closed the doors,” which should not be surprising to anyone who knew him. He was always the “first one in” and the “last one out.” He feared nothing and made sure that the job was done right. At the time of his death, he was the chief of the Piercefield Fire Company and a first responder. Richard leaves behind his wife, Carrie; one brother: Howard Riley of Essex Junction, VT, four sons: Chai of Florida, Steven of Missouri, Michael of Utah and Richard Jr. of Tupper Lake; two stepdaughters: Tiffany Wolf of Colorado and Brittany Proulx of Tupper Lake; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. at Gale Cemetery with Rick Wilburn officiating. Services are under the care and direction of Frary-Stuart Funeral Home, Tupper Lake. Donations in Richard’s memory may be made to the Piercefield Fire Company, 34 Waller St., Piercefield, NY 12973.