Joseph John Riley

1973 - 2018

1973 ~ 2018
Joseph John Riley (known as "Joe" and "Joey" to friends and family) was born on September 25, 1973 in SLC, Utah, to his mother the late Christene Trujillo and father Sean Riley. He passed away at age 44 on June 17, 2018.
He was a Commercial Truck Driver / Crane Operator and took great pride in his work.
Joe was a very classy man. He had an appreciation for fine things and dressed exceptionally well, in a style all his own. He was tall and strong and had a huge presence, a big booming voice, and a great big laugh. He was so funny, and kept his friends and family laughing with him! He was always willing to look at the lighter side of things. For such a big guy, he had a very soft heart, warm disposition, and was a gentleman. He was kind, very protective, affectionate, respectful, and loved his friends and family very much.
Joe enjoyed his hot rod, liked staying up on news, and loved music, travel, and shopping. He liked to collect survival gear and joked it was in case of a zombie apocalypse. He loved skiing, hiking, good food, scary movies, ghost towns, old haunted places, thunder and lightning storms, and cool weather. As he would say, "I don't dig the heat - I'm Irish".
Joe loved the outdoors. One of his favorite quotes was:
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society where none intrudes, By the deep Sea, and music in its roar: I love not Man the less, but Nature more" - George Gordon Byron.
He had a loving, soft heart for all animals. He took exceptional care of his dog Bobbie, who had diabetes, and adopted his dog Wilson from Rescue Rovers.
Much of Joe's life was spent with his former wife Dotty Riley and her children Jennifer Orr, Dustin Orr and grandchildren Daylon and Karma.
Recently, Joe suffered a work related motor vehicle accident, resulting in a traumatic brain injury from which he never fully recovered.
Joseph was preceded in death by his mother Christene Trujillo and stepfather Thom Trujillo; grandmothers, Rose Aumick and Estella (Riley) Freeman; grandfathers, John Aumick and Mick Riley; aunt Rosemary Dalton; cousin Rey Dalton; and uncle Dion Riley.
He is survived by his sister, Michelin Riley (Troy Prows, Hudson Prows); brother, Tim Riley (Austin, Madison, and Brysen); uncle Larry Dalton; cousin Tony (Karin) Dalton; father, Sean Riley (Linda); many other Riley family members; and numerous friends, notably LaDawn Haglund and Jeff Hughes.
We will miss him profoundly.
There will be a family graveside service in Idaho.