Richard Louis Rioles

Richard joined his wife Eileen and went home to Jesus on July 2nd, 2024. He was born on April 4th,1934 in Providence, RI. There he attended high school at La Salle Academy. After high school he attended the University of Rhode Island for one year before enlisting in the Navy in May of 1953.

In 1956, Richard met his future wife, Eileen, a Junior Red Cross volunteer, at a Philadelphia Naval Hospital dance. A year and half later they were married in Providence, RI.

After serving, Richard worked for Northeast Airlines and Delta Airlines where he enjoyed a 34 year career starting in Boston, moving to Philadelphia and finally settling in Tampa when Northeast was purchased by Delta Airlines. After retiring from Delta, he purchased the Captain’s Galley Pub which he owned for many years.

Richard was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church for 57 years, alongside his devoted wife Eileen. Through his years at Christ the King he served as an usher, drove the van service and participated in many carnivals. He served in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 20 years. Richard was also a boating enthusiast, enjoying weekly Thursday night sails with his friends and a yearly sailing trip to the Keys. He was a Buccaneer, and Tampa Bay lightning fan. He started attending Bucs games in the inaugural season.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Nicolas Rioles and Nancy Grace (Di Meglio) Rioles, and his wife of 66 years Eileen (O’Brien) Rioles.

He is survived by his son Kevin Rioles (Youngmi), his daughter Nancy Evans (Joseph Smalley), three grandchildren, Richard and Christine Rioles and Maggie Meguiar (Chase Leitner), sister in law Kathleen Baronsky, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viewing will be held Thursday July 11th, 6:00-8:00 pm, at Blount and Curry MacDill Life Event Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday July 12th, 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church, followed by graveside services at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater.