Harold Howard Riley

Dad was born in Spryfield, Halifax County on April 14,1922 and spent his youth and early adulthood in the family home on Herring Cove Rd. He met the love of his life, Inez Claire Riley (nee Brown) and married her in 1942, very shortly before being shipped to England to fight in WWII. The marriage lasted 63 years until her death. He fought in North Africa, Italy and Holland before the war ended, was wounded twice and contracted malaria in Italy. He had many stories of the war, particularly the battle for Ortona in 1943. After returning home in 1946, he settled back in Spryfield. Dad was very entrepreneurially minded and ran several local businesses. He also worked for many years for Dominion Stores at various locations. He was an active member of the community, sat on several local boards and committees and was a longtime member of the local IOOF service club. In 1972, he and Inez made the big move to Digby, Nova Scotia after buying the Siesta Motel and running it successfully until they sold and retired to a new home on Campbell Drive in Bedford in 1986. During his retirement years in Bedford he made many new friends (particularly his close friend and neighbor David Hall) and participated in many community activities. Dad was a proud veteran and a member of the Bedford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. As he aged, he was able to stay at home due to his devoted caregiver Margaret (Marnie) MacIntyre.

Harold is survived by his children, Laurie (Lynn), Bill (Lorna) and David (Heather), all of Halifax. Grandchildren Christopher, Laura (Peter), Patrick (Chas). Great grandchildren Charlotte, Riley and Aubrey. He is survived by his sister Frances Hainey and was pre-deceased by brothers Wayne, Carmen, Junior and sisters Shirley and Dorothy (Dodo), and daughter-in-law Jocelyne.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive in Halifax, and a service will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 2p.m. followed by a reception.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JASnowFuneralHome.com for the Riley family.