H. John Riley

John was born on the 13th of November 1940, in Syracuse, New York to Esther and Harold John Riley, Sr. He is predeceased by both of his parents and his siblings; Dolores Shea, Donna (John) Billion, Ronald (Sue) Riley as well as his nephew, Sean Riley and his niece, Deborah Shea .

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Diane; his daughter, Beth (Marcus) St. Raymond; Thomas (Dr. Lizabeth) Riley; and Patrick (Beatrice) Riley; seven grandchildren, Emma and Charlotte St. Raymond; Matthew, Megan and Tristan Riley; and John and Connor Riley; along with Otto and Cooper, John and Diane’s labradoodles. He also leaves behind his sister, Judy (Sonny) McGinley; three nieces; a nephew; and three godchildren.

A native of Syracuse, John Riley was the first of his family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from Syracuse University in 1961. An outstanding scholar and athlete at North High School, he was a recipient of The Gifford scholarship that allowed him to attend SU. During college, he worked in the mailroom of Crouse-Hinds, a Syracuse-based electrical products manufacturing company.

Crouse-Hinds would be his work family for more than 44 years as he worked his way up from the mailroom to CEO. John and Diane moved their family from Syracuse to Illinois to Virginia before landing in Houston as part of the Cooper Industries acquisition of Crouse-Hinds. After various management positions at Cooper, John was named CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1996. At the time of his retirement in 2006, Cooper Industries was a highly profitable $5.0 billion dollar Fortune 500 Company. He knew every employee at Cooper’s Houston HQ and made a point of acknowledging them by name, a signature trait that was part of his DNA.

John was a board member of Baker Hughes, Inc., The Allstate Corp., Dynegy Inc., Wyman Gordon Corp., Westlake Chemical Corp., and Post Oak Bank. Additionally, he served as a Trustee of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and as a member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees.

John had a long history of volunteer and community involvement. John’s past volunteer leadership activities include tenures with Greater Houston Partnership and Business Committee for the Arts. He is a former Chairman of Central Houston, Inc. and was part of the leadership team that developed Minute Maid Park; home to his beloved Astros. He was Chairman of Junior Achievement and recipient of Junior Achievement’s National Gold Leadership Award. John was also chosen as one of Houston’s “Men of Distinction” in 2015.

On John’s retirement in 2006, John and Diane established the The H. John and Diane M. Riley Family Fund to focus on their continuing interest in education, health and welfare and civic improvement. Major beneficiaries include the Syracuse University "H. John and Diane M. Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program Scholarship Fund", The Women’s Home, The Baylor Breast Center, Discovery Green, The Hobby Center, The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, The MV Preservation Trust, The MV Youth Scholarship fund and many others. John and Diane have chaired many major fundraising events: The United Negro College Fund, The Star of Hope, The Houston Grand Opera, Ronald McDonald House and The Women’s Home.

John loved life; visiting with his Syracuse “Shotty’s Gang” (70+ year friendships), golfing with his best buddies in Houston and Martha’s Vineyard, attending concerts, performances, charitable events, and supporting his favorite sport’s teams. He also loved a good “chicken dance”.

Most of all, John was happiest with everything to do with family; starting with his best friend and love of his life, Diane. He’d beam when talking about his children and their spouses, and was at his best when he was with his grandkids at “Chappy” on Martha’s Vineyard. A day spent boating, playing games, doing puzzles or just relaxing with his best buddies, Otto and Cooper - was a day well spent.

May the road rise up to meet you and may God hold you in the palm of His hand. The Life of Riley has been a good life.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s, MICU. And a very special “thank you” to Rocio Bonilla who has been caring for the Riley household for many years.

Friends were cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 13th of June, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 14th of June, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Wayne Wilkerson is to serve as celebrant. Proclaiming the first reading from Daniel 12. 1-3 was Megan Riley; and proclaiming the second reading from Ecclesiastes 3. 1-11 was Emma St. Raymond and Charlotte St. Raymond. Presenting the offertory gifts was John Riley and Connor Riley.

The Rite of Committal followed, via an escorted cortege, at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston. A graveside prayer was offered by Matthew Riley and Tristan Riley.

Serving as pallbearers were: Brian Alden, William Austin, Richard Easterly, Kirk Hachigian, Matthew Riley, and Marcus St. Raymond.

Serving as honorary pallbearers were: Brian Delaney, Robert Easterly, John Ellison, Mark Gianquitti, Jack Johnson, William Knaul, Jake Mayer, Mike McGinley, Sonny McGinley, John Ogren, Chris Ordway, and Richard Vermillion.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Syracuse University’s “H. John and Diane M. Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program Scholarship Fund" and sent to the attention of Jodie Ralston, Executive Director of Advancement Services, 640 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13244. Gifts may also be made online: givetosu.syr.edu/johnriley

For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting John’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon on the service section.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon below.