Fr. John Francis RILEY

1928 - 2015

Age 87 Of Coon Rapids Died November 21, 2015. John attended St. Ambrose College and St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on May 30, 1955. He continued his education, earning his M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D in 1964, both from Catholic University. He taught at St. Thomas College in St. Paul in the Department of Religion from 1957 to 1969 acting as Chair of the Dept of Theology from 1967-69. From 1969 to 1972, he served as an associate professor at Augsburg College. From 1980 to 1993, John returned to St. Thomas College where he taught until his retirement. He was awarded tenure at St. Thomas in 1983. John also served as associate pastor of Saint Joan of Arc (1955-1957) and pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (1972-1980). He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael James Riley Sr. and Marjorie Lucille (Kane) Riley; brother, Michael James Riley Jr. and sister, Mary Alice Ryan. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Kay) Riley and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Saturday, November 28 at Lumen Christi Catholic Church (2055 Bohland Ave, St. Paul) with visitation to be held one hour prior to Mass at Church. Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.