Mark Riley

Mark Anthony “Imam Al Mahdi Shahad ‘Ali Abdu’r-Raheem” Riley peacefully transitioned on June 16, 2022, in Wappingers Falls, New York. Mark Riley, an only child, was born on July 14, 1959, to Lollis Mae Cooke and Eugene Riley, in Manhattan, New York. As a young child, Mark’s beloved maternal Aunt, Betty Smith, took him under her wing and integrated him into her bustling household of 10 children in Queens, New York. Mark would frequently visit his mother but remained under the care and guidance of his extended family. During this time, Mark took a strong interest in the practice of Martial Arts. He began his academic years in Queens, NY where he would finish with John Adams HS in 1976. Mark would begin employment 1977-1982 with a contractor for the NYC Telephone Company, where he was responsible for the distribution of the telephone books for the 5 boroughs of NYC. In July 1980 Mark met his future wife, Tema Jacobs in Queens, NY while visiting his cousin. They lost contact for several months, only to be reunited in the spring of 1981. They began dating in 1981, were engaged by July 1982 and later married on October 30, 1982, in Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn would then become Mark’s future place of residence. In 1982, Mark would then accept Islam as his religion as well as change his career path to become a day laborer. During their marriage, he would become the father to three beautiful children. They had two sons, Shahad Elijah born in April 1983 and Isaiah Jahad born in February 1984. Their only daughter Rashida “My Shida” Mecca was born in August 1985. Mark’s children would affectionately call him “Abu” (which means Father in Islam). The love for his family would prove in his dedication to work and providing for his family. Mark is survived by his 3 children- Shahad Elijah Riley, Isaiah Jahad Riley (Rosa), and Rashida Mecca Riley, 6 grandchildren- Arianna, Jacob III, Danielle and Iliana, Iva, Isaiah, and the Smith family, and many other extended family members and friends. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonstafford.com for the Riley family.