Richard Hugh Riley

Richard (Dick) Riley, Old Saybrook, died peacefully January 20th at home surrounded by his family as the sun rose behind the trees. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 1/2 years, Doraine Wall Riley. He is also survived by his children; Tracey Riley, Westbrook, CT, Kelly Riley, Lynn, MA, Maureen (Arthur) Ochse, Belmar, NJ; Karen (Kenneth) Hayes, Island Heights, NJ; Richard (Nana) Riley, Toms River, NJ; Janet (Peter) Sanderson, Wakefield, RI; and stepson, Jeffrey (Kayle) Pitcher, Saugerties, NY; He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lindsey Riley, Arthur, Aaron, Christian Ochse, John Lott, Tara Rider, Richard Riley, Isabella and Juliette Sanderson, Adam Pitcher and great-granddaughter, Reese Rider. Surviving Dick is his brother Hugh (Geraldine) Riley and sister Ann (Richie) Nally, sister-in-law, Vera Pasquini, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Hugh and Mildred Riley and also by his first wife, Kathleen Newman. Dick was born in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, NY where he spent his childhood plying the water winning numerous medals for free style swimming. He worked on party fishing boats in the Sheepshead Bay area, and eventually enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving on the Submarine USS Quillback SS-424. After arduous testing to see if he had 'the mettle" they needed, the Navy decided he did! He trained in the Great Lakes and New London, CT Stations where he won a record number of swimming medals. After receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1956, Dick served on U.S. government tugs rising from deck hand to Tug Boat Captain in a very short time. He later went into the private sector working for Texaco for almost 40 years. He was awarded many citations including one for his tug's heroic response to a tug boat accident in which a best friend and others died. Dick held Connecticut and Hudson River Unrestricted Licenses, and held a NY Docking Pilot license. He held the highest licenses a Pilot can achieve, and retired in 1992 while serving as Captain aboard The Texaco Tug Houma. Family will receive friends at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, 3 - 5 PM, January 24th during which time Dick will be accorded full military honors. Heartfelt thanks to the caring and dedicated Lower Valley Visiting Nurses and the nurses from Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. All other services will be private at the convenience of his large, loving family.