John A. Riley Jr.

RILEY, John A., Jr. John A. Riley, Jr., 88, of Newington, beloved father and grandfather, died peacefully Tuesday (February 10, 2009) at Hartford Hospital. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (Morrow) Riley. He was born in Altoona, PA, son of the late John and Hannah (Moore) Riley, and resided in Newington for the past 46 years. John lived his life as an artist which for many of us is only a dream. As both a composer and musician, he began his career as a cellist in the Altoona Symphony. After serving in World War II, he continued his education in music and composition at the University of PA, Eastman School of Music, and Yale University. He spent two years in Paris on a Fulbright scholarship studying composition. He began to experiment with film making before moving to this area to join the Hartford Symphony as a cellist. John was a member for more than 30 years and composed works that included orchestra and chamber music, several of which were performed. He is survived by her children, John B. Riley, of East Hartford, Ann M. Riley and her husband, George J. Coleman, of Wethersfield, Susan F. Riley and her partner, Andrea M. Huskie, of Ithaca, NY, Susan D. Papas and her husband, Michael, of Cyprus; his grandchildren, Audrey S. Coleman, Joseph R. Coleman, Minos Papas. For the past five years, John resided at Cedar Mountain Commons in Newington where he received exceptional care from all of his loving and devoted caregivers. A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date. There are no calling hours. Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington is serving the family. To share a memory with his family, please visit us at www. newingtonmemorial.com.