Ernest H. Riley

Ernest "Ernie" Herbert Riley, 95, of Stockton CA, died April 27th, 2018. "Ernie", son of Charles Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Riley (nee Holm), husband of Joanna Imamura, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton CA from complications of dementia with which he struggled over his last few years. He is survived by his wife Joanna and his sister-in-law Laila. Born a Canadian on March 10, 1923. Ernie grew up in San Francisco and Oakland CA during the great depression and was rewarded US citizenship for his service to the US army during WWII. While serving in Italy Ernie easily learned Italian and thus realizing natural ability and love for languages. After the war, Ernie earned a Bachelors degree in Spanish from Mexico City University and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from UC Berkley; he also studied other languages while at UCB. Ernie first worked as a probations officer in CA and then as an ESL teacher at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton until his retirement. Ernie travelled to practically every country of the world as a tour guide, on his own, and with his wife Joanna. On his travels Ernie loved meeting people and could get a smile from anyone anywhere, regardless of language proficiency. Ernie was the oldest and last surviving of 4 siblings. Though he had no children, he was a one-of-a-kind "Uncle Ernie" to his nephews and nieces. Services will be held at 10am on May 25th at St. Luke's Church in Stockton CA.