Frederick Arthur Risley

Frederick Arthur Risley, 94, a long time resident of Darien and Fairfield, Connecticut, died peacefully on June 25, 2023 at Roper St Francis Hospital in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. He was surrounded with love, by his wife and all five of his children.

Fred was born on August 4, 1928 in Dover, Ohio. He was the son of Samuel Doty Risley and Mildred Schweinfurth Risley. He lived his early childhood years in Glencoe, Illinois, until his family relocated to Stamford, CT at age seven. He graduated high school from Westminster School in Simsbury, CT and was a graduate of Yale University, class of 1950, where he was a member of the golf team.

After college he joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He returned to Stamford to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance, later working at their home office in NYC until his retirement in 1990.

Fred met his wife Pauline Palmer while working at Met Life in Stamford. They raised five children in Darien, CT. He led a busy commuter life taking the train into Manhattan during the week. Weeknights and weekends were spent helping his kids with homework, supporting their extra- curricular activities, yardwork and assisting Pauline with multiple projects on her agenda. He was always very agreeable and amicable with Pauline's huge Italian family frequent get-togethers.

Fred was a quiet and cordial man, a true gentleman. He treated everyone he met with respect. He enjoyed conversing with anyone and everyone, no matter their background or walk of life. He was an exemplary role model.

Fred was a voracious reader. He was never without a book or two in the works. He was a big fan of J.R. Tolkien. He read the entire collection, including the atlas. He also enjoyed reading the classics and almost any historical novels.

It was a joy to walk up to the front door and hear Fred playing the baby grand piano! It was a special treat, especially during the holiday season. He loved to play tennis and golf. He was always up for a game of cards or dominoes. He was a stickler for "playing by the rules". He enjoyed watching old movies and science fiction. He was also an avid sports fan of the NY Giants and UCONN Huskies basketball.

Fred was very proud of his close-knit family. He had seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was fondly known as "Poppers". When Fred and Pauline retired to South Carolina, family kept in close touch and visited often.

Survivors include his devoted wife and caregiver, Pauline, his children Patti (Art), Lisa (Charlie) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, John (Katarzyna) of Chicago, IL, Rick (Sharon) and David of Fairfield, CT. Grandchildren Peyton, Barrett, Taylor, and Sam Risley, Tyler and Haley Wellman, and Catherine Risley. He was also survived by his great-grandchildren Jack Davis, Fisher, Turner and Leighton Risley, Carter and Landon Sicilano and Palmer, Charley, Hadley and Collins Wells. He was pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Marilyn Raymond.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.