How do describe a person such as Riley? One who wraps you in his arms with his very words and brings about a connection to which you feel at the very core of your heart ♥️ I miss your face, I miss your voice, I miss your presence. I’m so very grateful I got to have you for a moment in time. Rest in Heavenly Peace dear Friend 🙏🏼💜

Happy 80th Birthday my beloved friend/family, Riley,

There is so much about what you brought to my life that I can recall, and here are my top 5:
1) Your warm greeting almost every day with a chat or verbally
2) Your beautiful smile and demeanor
3) Your prayers for my son and my family (you counting down the hours back in April 2025)
4) Our beautiful friendship which felt more like you being my older brother that I never had
5) Your genuine heartfelt spirit that connected to mine.
For this and so much more I am deeply grateful
Until we meet again my beloved Riley,
Your beloved Shalee
PS How you noticed when i went from Serene Shaleen to Shaleen to Shalee and you always called me Shalee from that moment on ...

Happy 80th Birthday my beloved friend and spirtiual companion, Riley!
Your voice, warmth and spirtiual presence continue to permeate the universe.
You helped me through a very difficult and challenging time in my life.
Knowing you these past 5 years has been a priceless gift.
My son, my family and I thank you for all your love, support and prayers.
I am grateful that you were in my life and now you probably have met my parents in Heaven (hopefully they don't share too much you may not know about me!) 
What we shared the most, was the love for our upcoming birthdays each year. Thank you for sharing this love with me. I felt better knowing I am not the only one who as they grow older still loves birthdays.
My favorite trait of yours is your warm hello and greeting, which I will add to my journey moving forward, this way a part of you continues in this world.
Until we meet again Riley.
I miss you and remember you fondly in my heart,
Shaleen S.

I was fortunate to meet Rilley in the Spring of 2021 where his strong, welcoming voice and kind spirit created a sense of comfort and belonging. He inspired me (and many) to live healthier, more compassionate lives. His empathy, wisdom, and genuine care made him a true friend. His impact will not be forgotten.  
May Riley’s spirit live in each of us, and may his heavenly presence continue to watch over and guide us with love.

Dearest Riley,
 Your unique spirit left a mark on many lives, a richness and love they concur to hold forever dear.
I am fortunate you were in my life, my whole life.
On many occasions you filled a void for me in needing an elder's wise support, understanding and genuine love.
I am very sorry you left your life unexpectedly yet quietly, which may be the blessing...
I love you !

Riley was always into fitness. This pic, circa late 1980s(?), shows Riley taking my aerobics class. I think it was being filmed for something.  He was always right up front!!

I met Riley during the pandemic on an online meeting.  He gave me a link to one of his NYC meetings and I attended it every week during lockdown.  Riley touched so many lives.  He always had love to give and positive things to say and he will be very very missed.   I am so sorry to his family and friends.   What a wonderful light he was in this world.

Dearest Riley -
I am so sorry I am not able to be here in person, but know I am with you in my heart.  I still can't believe you are gone.  I'll never forget our special years at the Park Avenue Athletic Complex.  Doing our aerobics early in the morning, get togethers at my place, going out to dinner with the gang.  When my son was born 34 years ago you gifted diapers to last months!  You attended his bris.  You called me on every birthday.  You said good morning on Facebook every day with beautiful pictures of the sunrise.  Oh the memories.  You hold such a special place in my heart.  Rest in peace dear friend.
Love,
Betty
xoxoxox

Riley,

I'll miss your beautiful face, thoughts, and words. You were a shining light and I think of you as a glowing star in the universe now.

He would use an app to track the coordinates of the moon and go on the roof to photograph it. He called him self an amateur photographer. He was wayyyy better than amateur. Sending so much love to anyone who was lucky enough to know him. My favorite neighbor I’ve ever had.

Riley has been my neighbor for the past year. I was just made aware of his passing. This man made me feel so welcomed from the second I moved in. A few days before he passed he was sharing his amazing photos of the moon. I will miss his warm spirit. I will miss running into him in the hall way and in the street. Rest in peace sweet Riley.

I first met Riley on an online meeting at the beginning of lockdown in 2020.  A bunch of us Brits fell in love with him.  That smile was infectious. I took a vacation and  able to fly to NYC from London in 2023.   There I got to meet him in person for the first time.  We met and hugged, laughed and talked non stop.  Riley's impact on me and so many others was powerful.  To have known Riley was beautiful.  His kindness, love and wisdom were next to none and I will miss my friend.  Jo (from London UK)

Riley.  I still can’t comprehend this devastating news. Your absence leaves an empty page in my life’s story. So many of my favorite memories were with you: BRIGADOON at Miami, when you were still Billy and I was just seventeen. Snowbound in NYC in the Blizzard of ’69.  My escape from Florida to audition for FORUM. Phone calls on our birthdays. And on and on … so many years with the joy of your friendship, your boundless energy, and generous support. 

There was no one like Riley, with his big heart, New York City glamour, mischievous humor and dramatic flair.  He’ll be missed by all whose lives he touched. Rest in Peace, my dear friend.

So shocked about Peter Jason’s passing. As often happens when you don't see someone for decades, you remember them only as young full of life, joy and promise. He had a great sense of humor and gave fully of  himself to others whenever asked. He was a great pal and vital to have along on our extended canoe trips. Peter/ Riley was unique however, he typified the highest order of counselors at Androdcoggin Senior. They were real people with an uncanny ability to teach, coach and share. These men, were for many campers, a roll model on how to approach manhood. Peter was almost always at the heart of everything, every event, lesson, guitar sing-along, game, demonstration, fun, or  prank, he was a hybrid counselor- camper, he was one of us. Peter and others like him, helped peel away our superficial character or wrong-headed attitude and foster  our inner selves to escape and blossom.  Going to Senior Camp for 4 years, meeting guys like Peter Jason, prepared me in many, many  enduring ways,  even now- 60 or so years later. He will be missed.

Riley..  You had a heart of gold. 
So kind and so compassionate. So willing to be present with anyone. You listened. Your heart extended wide and far. 
I will never forget the many moments  of contact and kindness that we shared with one another.
You were and still are a messenger of peace and love.
Anyone who had the good fortune to know you was blessed. 
Your presence was healing. 
And may your memory be a blessing. 
For ever.

What blessings of kindness, wit, honesty & service this man has left in my heart & so many others who shared community w/ him on a regular basis.  How you are missed, Riley 💔

https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/remembering-riley-jason

Dear Riley, what a calming soul. We never met in person but did via zoom during Covid. Your presence, humor and vulnerability really made an impact on me. You also kindly offered me advice and support when it looked like my family would move to NYC. Nothing was ever too much trouble if you could help you would. 

Miss you brother

I was at Miami University with Riley (Bill) and considered him a terrific friend.  We stayed in touch over the years and would see him when I came to NYC.  I am heartbroken and sending thoughts and prayers to his family.  Kathy Huggins High

Lovely, dear Riley..who always used to call me dear Lauren. We shared a special bond of a world wide spiritual family even though we had never met in person. His calm presence and voice always made me feel safe. I loved how he viewed the world around him with a gentle grace, he was non judgmental, dignified, playful, charming open, and honest and so so loving. You will be so missed, from one earthly group of angels to another group of eternal ones. 
Rest in peace, good night and god bless. 
❤️🪽👼

I am so sad snd still in shock that you are gone. Photo from my 50th birthday celebration many many  moons ago. Riley and I met at the gym aka park ave athletic club now known as NYSC. We formed a friendship that spanned over 30 years. He was caring, funny, smart, and a good soul. Riley was a  great human and as close to Richard Gere  in looks as humanly possible Riley and his gal gym rat pals  formed an  amazing bond. Rest in peace💔 Your memory is truly  a blessing.

Riley was a pillar in the community: a kind and special person with a sprite sense of humor and twinkle in his eye. I speak for many when I say he was loved and will be deeply missed. He was charismatic as a real estate broker with Brown Harris Stevens, a charming actor and musician who had good looks on par with Richard Gere. He had fun being the body double for Woody Guthrie in the Bob Dylan movie “A Complete Unknown”.  He will be remembered with fondness. Deepest condolences to all who are mourning his loss. 💔💐😢

I met Riley 20 years ago when I moved to the City. He was the most "New York" person I've known. He was born here, lived here and knew the City well.
I am sad and will miss his humor and wisdom. Safe home, Riley
Jeanne Cannon

Riley was a wonderful listener, still is, and always will be. Miss him very dearly, our beautiful Riley. Open. Thanks. xo - s

OBITUARY

Riley Jason

April 30, 1946 – March 7, 2026

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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