Brian Robert Riley

Mr. Brian Robert Riley of Portsmouth England passed away in his sleep on June 12, 2023 at 87 years of age. He was born in Portsmouth on July 11, 1935 to Robert Harry Riley and Ivy Louise Riley and at 16 years of age entered a four-year Apprenticeship in Upholstery and Chair Frame Maker on January 14, 1952.

He was a Master Craftsman and a passionate competitive cyclist and brought his skills and bicycle to America in 1964, meeting his future wife, and mother of his only child, Brenda in Los Angeles shortly afterwards.

He worked as an Upholsterer for Kuna Interiors in St Louis until moving to Austin Texas in 1982, where he avidly cycled the hill country and in 1986 opened Briley’s Upholstery Shop on Northland Dr.

He was a founding member of Portsmouth's Velo Club Aquila - V.C St.Raphael cycling club, returning to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2005, and was a well-known figure in the Austin cycling community. He was also a long-standing member of the Austin Skiers ski club, occasionally volunteering for Trip Chair and Special Activities plotting rally races driving his Lancia along the backroads of Austin in the summer with his young son Shawn.

He combined his love of cycling and traveling, especially to France to watch the Tour de France. He was a staple of Allandale walking his long-time Scottie companion throughout the neighborhood.

Brian was a true friend to many, a Master English Upholster known throughout Austin, an icon of the cycling community, and a humble, supportive and loving father and grandfather.

He is survived by his only son Dr. Shawn Riley, daughter-in-law Pamela, and two Grandaughters Chloe and Phoebe of Richardson Texas.

He is preceded in death by his ex-wife Brenda Kay Riley, his sister Janet Dunning and his parents.

We are all fortunate to have shared our lives with him and his quiet absence leaves an unfillable void. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends who will celebrate his passion for life at the Ted Dickey West Funeral Home on Saturday June 24, 2023 at 2:00 pm in Dallas Texas. Please R.S.V.P to [email protected] if attending in person or you wish to receive the Zoom video link to attend virtually.