Gerry was predeceased by his wife, Keri J. Riley, of Moorhead, Minnesota. He is survived by his two sons, Michael T. Riley (Jessica), of Middletown, New Jersey, and Mark G. Riley (Emily) of Rowayton, Connecticut, both from his previous marriage to Jane E. Keane. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Dylan, Ava, Ella, Cora, and Jack, his four siblings, Dr. Thomas J. Riley (Ann), Miriam R. Flecca (Tony), Robert J. Riley (Judi), and Christopher J. Riley (Hylah), and countless loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Gerry was a caring and fun-loving man known for his quick wit and intellect, as well as his uncanny ability to connect people from all walks of life through conversation and storytelling.
He was born on March 26, 1948, in Waltham, Massachusetts, the son of Dr. Joseph G. and Virginia (Cunningham) Riley. He grew up an avid ice hockey player, always in search of the next available ice time. He attended St. Sebastian’s School and later the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, a proud member of the hockey team at each institution.
Gerry was a veteran of the United States Navy and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam from 1969-1972, serving honorably on both the U.S.S. Sacramento and the U.S.S. Arikara.
Gerry was incredibly proud of his two sons and the men they grew to become. Some of his fondest memories with them were at the Riley Beach House in Kennebunk, Maine, where he would hit them baseballs in the side yard, throw the football with them for hours, and pontificate aloud what his hockey career would have amounted to if he had only been blessed with their height.
In recent years, Gerry would often dream of seeing his beloved wife Keri again, and we are all at peace knowing that they are now reunited.
We invite you to join us in a celebration of Gerry’s life beginning at 5:00pm on August 12, 2022, at the Riley Beach House located at 155 Beach Avenue in Kennebunk, Maine. A private graveside service will be held on a later date in Waltham, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local animal shelter, as Gerry was a lifelong lover of all animals including his many rescue dogs throughout the years.
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