Douglas Newton Riley

Douglas Newton Riley, age 64, son of William B. Riley and the late Virginia G. Aulenback passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife Elizabeth Riley on December 13th, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Plymouth, MA he is preceded in death by his brothers Michael B. Riley and Marc G. Riley. He is survived by his daughters, Melissa L. Riley of Lexington Park, MD, Michelle E. Givens of Myrtle Beach, SC and Caitlin M. Rivera of Marlborough, MA; stepson, Eric T. Hyche of Sterling, MA; brother, David Riley and his wife, Trudi Riley of Blackston, MA; and his sister, Lynn A. Riley of Myrtle Beach, SC. He leaves behind 9 beautiful grandchildren: Derek, Deven, Drake, Shane, Scott, Shelby, Emma, Liam and Zowie.
He was a devoted husband; a caring and nurturing father and family was his greatest joy. He devoted himself to teaching his children valuable lessons on maintaining their well-being and being self-sufficient.
As a dedicated bricklayer and craftsman for over 40 years, Douglas had a true passion for stone masonry. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to transform raw stone into intricate durable structures that would stand the test of time. Whether it was a grand fireplace, a detailed garden wall, or a majestic archway, he loved nothing more than to step back, admire the work, and proudly show off the creations that have taken shape under his hands. His work can be seen in MA, MD and SC. It was a running joke among his family when driving around and he would proudly decare "I built that!'
Other than being a builder, Douglas also left his mark in the southern Maryland community, crabbing alongside his father on Chesapeake Bay and selling bushels of Blue crabs on the side of the road with his oldest daughter Melissa in tow when she was a young girl.
In addition to his profession, Douglas was known for his positivity and unwavering encouragement. He has a unique gift for lifting others up, always offering a kind word or a helpful hand to those in need. Whether it was on a job site, with family, or among friends, Douglas made everyone feel valued and capable. His infectious optimism and belief in others inspired countless people, making him not only a skilled mason but also a mentor and friend to many.
Douglas had many hobbies over his lifetime including crabbing, fishing, cooking, making beer, canning, panning for gold, touring on his motorcycle, making sourdough bread, coin collecting and growing a vegetable garden. Even if he didn't know how to do something he taught himself everything he needed to know about the hobby and he was very successful at each one.
As per his wishes Douglas did not want a funeral or service. He will be cremated, and his ashes will be spread in the three states he lived and made a life in. He will finally be buried on his property in Loris, SC that he called home for many years before passing away.
Donations to https://gofund.me/a08279b8 in lieu of flowers are greatly appreciated to help the family with final expenses. Feel free to sign the guestbook to leave thoughts and prayers and share any memories you have of Douglas.
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