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John Leon Riley

1933 - 2021

John Leon Riley obituary, 1933-2021, Hartford, CT

BORN

1933

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes

628 North Broadway

Saratoga Springs, New York

John Riley Obituary

Saratoga Springs, NY - John Leon Riley, 87, died suddenly at home on January 30, 2021. He was born October 11, 1933 in Watkins Glen, NY, to the late Myron and Ruth Everingham Riley. He graduated from Watkins Glen High School, and from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. After graduating from Cornell, he had a long career in architecture, becoming a partner in the firm Russell, Gibson, vonDohlen located in West Hartford, CT, designing many schools, churches, and office buildings. He pursued his lifelong interest in music by serving first on the board of The Hartford Symphony Orchestra and later the board of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. He was a loyal alumnus of Cornell, serving on the Cornell University Council and the Advisory Committee for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Planning. Wherever he went, he was well-respected and well-liked. He had a love of the great outdoors, from boating as a child on Seneca Lake to sailing on Sebago Lake in Maine. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking, and skiing. He built his own Adirondack guideboat after moving to Saratoga Springs. He is survived by his wife, Almeda (A.C.) (Church Dake) Riley; his children, Alison Riley-Clark (Tom - deceased), Kagan Wolfe, and Susan Shelby (Evan); their children Emily, Stephen, and Brenden Clark and Dylan Shelby; stepchildren Laura Dake Roche (John), Gary Dake (Aimee), Glen Dake, and Renee Dake Wilson (Brian); their children Morgan, Will, and Carolyn Roche, Charlie (Brigid) and Zak (Desiree) Dake, and Silas, Collette, and Vaughn Wilson; and great grandchildren Eve and Lily Dake. Along with his parents, he was pre-deceased by his first wife, Carolyn Dudley Riley and son David Riley. Due to Covid, services will be at the convenience of the family at a later time. Memorial gifts may be made to The Wesley Foundation, 131 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Feb. 2, 2021.

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Jay Sacco

February 9, 2021

Please accept my deepest sympathies. I'm one of John's many Mu Chapter brothers who share in your loss.
Kind Regards
Sac
Sigma Pi 1980

Buck Cody

February 9, 2021

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of John. We were in the same year at sigma pi and he was a good friend. I well remember the many good times we had together. My condolences and prayers to his family and it sure is a big one. Buck Cody 1955 Cornell

John Eberle

February 6, 2021

Pam and I offer our deepest sympathies to A.C. and the entire family. John was so kind to to so many. Love and prayers to you all.

Carla Skodinski

February 5, 2021

Michael joins me in sending our condolences to AC and the Riley family. We are saddened to hear of John's passing. It was truly a pleasure to see you both at almost every musical event in town whether it was Opera Saratoga, the Chamber Society, SPAC or at Ellen's Rojan parties. We are thinking of you and wishing we could have known John better.

Dot Valachovic

February 2, 2021

May he rest in peace. Cornell has been fortunate to have had such an excellent active alumnus in so many ways. Sympathy to A.C. and extended family.

Jeffrey A. Gebrian

February 2, 2021

To John's family: I am very sorry for your loss. I am a Landscape Architect with the pleasure of working with John on several school and office projects, notably in Pittsfield, MA in the 1970's as well as a few in CT prior to his retirement. I fondly remember his deep sense of design inside and outside the building, strong Client relationships and respect for his consultants. My prior firms were Currier, Andersen & Geda and CR 3 Inc. I am still working as a sole proprietor with fond memories of my work with John. Jeffrey

February 1, 2021

To John's Family and Friends,
Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss.
Sincerely,
The Staff at Burke Funeral Home

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Funeral services provided by:

William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes

628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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