Charles J. Riley Jr.

Charles John Riley, Jr (Chuck) of Germantown, MD suddenly passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, while drumming at a dedication for eight Revolutionary War Patriots buried at Monocacy Cemetery. He was 72 years old.

Chuck was born on Long Island on November 15,1951 to Charles John Riley, Sr. and Alvina Marie (Montag). He grew up on Long Island and graduated from Plainview High School in 1969.

Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1973 during the Vietnam War. While stationed in Yokosuka, Japan he met and married Kiyomi Tanaka, his devoted wife of 47 years. Their daughter Tanya Frances (Riley) Swart was born in 1978 in Yokosuka.

After years of training in aircraft electronics and three years of service on the USS Midway deployed overseas, Chuck was selected to attend Aviation Officer Candidate Training. He received his wings and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1982 in Corpus Christi, TX. Stateside assignments included San Diego, CA, Corpus Christi, TX and Pensacola, FL. Chuck received numerous Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, Service Ribbons and Meritorious Awards over his twenty years of service. His last assignment at NAS Pensacola, was as a Flight Instructor with the Chief of Naval Air Training Command where he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1993. Chuck earned a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York and a Master of Education from the University of West Florida.

After his retirement from the Navy, Chuck worked as a contractor in the field of flight simulation and later went to work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Washington, DC area, as a software engineer, where he and Kiyomi could be close to their daughter Tanya and her growing family.

Because of his parents’ background, Chuck was introduced at a young age to the world of Fife and Drum Corps and he became a talented rudimental snare drummer. After settling in Maryland, he reconnected with the Fife and Drum Community and played for many years with the Monumental City Ancients of Baltimore and most recently with Monocacy Field Music of Frederick, Maryland. He and Kiyomi were frequently seen at Fife and Drum Parades and Musters along the Eastern Seaboard. He will be missed by the many friends he made in this Community.

Chuck was a committed and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was humble and was known to many as dependable. If he said that he was going to be there, he was there. He didn’t always have a ton to say but was always listening. When he did have something to say, it was worth listening to. He was trusted by many people of all ages. Because of his quiet, respectful, and caring way, people got to know him and appreciated all that he had to offer. He had a love for gadgets, technology, photography, grilling, and cigars. He believed in having all the right equipment for any hobby he took on.

The grandkids (Riley and Ethan) called him GiGi, a Japanese nickname for Grandpa. The Swart family greatly enjoyed family get-togethers where he shared his grilling talents and sense of humor. He always had his camera with him and captured many great memories, not only at family gatherings, but also at the grandkid’s sporting events, school performances, fife and drum gatherings and of his grilling adventures.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Kiyomi, and their daughter Tanya, son-in-law Clinton Swart, and young grandchildren Riley and Ethan of Annandale, VA. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Emiko Tanaka and sister-in-law Yoshiko Tanaka, both of Kamakura, Japan, younger sisters Karen (Gene) McGuire of Denver, Colorado, Judy (Rodney) Poole of Hickory, NC, and Susan Riley of Boulder City, NV, cousin Frank Roder, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces.

A visitation with viewing and reception will be held at Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA on Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The viewing and reception will close with a fife and drum performance at 3:45 PM. A burial with military funeral honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in honor of Chuck Riley can be made to the Company of Fifers and Drummers linked below.