Michael A. Riley

He was born on his family's farm in Girard Township, Pennsylvania, on November 5, 1943, a member of the fifth and last generation to live at the Riley Fruit Farm.

An Eagle Scout, Mike graduated from Rice Avenue Union High School in 1961. He received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University in 1965 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force upon graduation. He deferred his military service while he pursued a master's degree in political science at Kent State, which he received in 1967.

Mike began his career in the US Air Force in August,1967. After completing training as a Navigator and Weapon Systems Operator in F4D Phantom jet fighters, he was stationed at Royal Thai Air Force Base in Udon, Thailand, where he served as a member of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He flew 168 missions over Southeast Asia, including 26 missions over North Vietnam. For his exemplary service, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, numerous Meritorious Service and Air Medals, multiple Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as other medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons.

Upon returning from the war, Mike became a Navigator and Weapons System Operator of F4E Phantoms with the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron stationed at Torrejon Air Base near Madrid, Spain. After successfully completing pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas, he received his wings in 1970 and served as a Flight Training Instructor Pilot for T-37s, the first jet flown by pilot trainees. Later, he was stationed in Dover, Delaware as an Air Operations Officer and Pilot of C5A cargo jets flying transportation and airlift operations around the world. One mission involved delivering 2 Chinook helicopters strapped inside his plane to the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1980. For the last eight and a half years of his service, Mike "flew a desk" as a Public Affairs Staff Officer, first at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, and later at the Pentagon. He retired from the Air Force after twenty-four years in October, 1991.

Mike's exceptional service record entitled him to a high-level security clearance, and following his retirement from the Air Force, he enjoyed a second career as a civilian employee of several defense contractors. His work included analyzing military program records and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests for various programs, including "Star Wars". On September 11, 2001, he was working next door at the Navy Annex and heard the plane flown by terrorists fly overhead before it crashed into the Pentagon. After retiring from his work for defense contractors, he launched and operated several businesses, Mike was a 33rd degree

Mason and was very active in Masonic activities when living in Falls Church, Virginia, including serving as Deputy Grand Marshall.

In addition to his family and serving others, flying was Mike's great passion. For many years, he flew single engine aircraft as a hobby, and he thrilled in performing various aeronautical maneuvers. He also enjoyed skiing, sailing, and golfing.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, Steven and Mildred Snyder Riley, and his stepmother, Doris Silverthorn Riley. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn Campopiano Riley, whom he married in 2019; his siblings, Kathy Milford (Miriam Cartner), Peggy (Tim) Bonner, and Steven ("Tim") (Patty) Riley, Jr.; and his stepbrothers, Dick Silverthorn and Jim (Malynna) Silverthorn; his stepchildren, Scott (Cheryl) Bundek, Amanda Bundek, William (Terri) Schelhouse, Robert (Lisa) Campopiano, and Carole (Stephen) Hayward; as well as his many cousins, in-laws, grandchildren, great grandchild, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, Virginia from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held immediately afterwards at 12:30 p.m. also at Demaine Funeral Home followed by a reception there. Burial will be later this year in Girard, Pennsylvania, followed by a celebration of Mike's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a memorial donation to Goodwin Hospice at https://goodwinlivingfoundation.org/donate or that you simply lend a hand to someone who needs help, as "How can I help you?" Mike would have done.