Francis Xavier Riley, Jr. of Manassas and Fredericksburg, Va. and formerly of Glens Falls, NY died peacefully Saturday afternoon, February 15th, at the age of 87 after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer’s. He was surrounded in comfort and love by the presence of his children as he left this world to join his beloved Demetra, who passed away in 2001.
A veteran of the Second World War and Korea, Mr. Riley served two combat tours during the Korean War and received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during his first tour. Upon his return to the Korean theater he served with the 10th Engineers at the bloody battle of Outpost Harry. Aside from a brief period as a hotel and restaurant owner and manager, he worked his entire career as a superintendent and project manager in the construction field.
A dedicated and lifelong member of the Operating Engineers Union, Mr. Riley was also very active in politics in both New York and Virginia and was a loyal member of the Democratic Party. A loving husband and father, he was also an active member of any community where he lived and was noted for initiating a Pop Warner Football Program in Glens Falls, NY and an Ancient Order of Hibernians Chapter in Manassas, Va. He was also a Charter Member of American Legion Post 10, Manassas and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503, Woodbridge, VA.
A man of action and spirit, he lived life to the fullest and never looked back. He is survived by his sister Betsy and his children Michael, Patrick, Timothy, Sheila and Terence and numerous grand children and great grand children.
A viewing will be held at Pierce Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5-8 pm. A funeral Mass will be said on Friday at 12 noon at All Saints Church in Manassas followed by a traditional Irish wake and celebration of his life at the American Legion Hall. He will be interred on Monday at 1pm at Quantico National cemetery alongside his wife Demetra. At Mr. Riley’s request, donations should be made to the Leukemia Society in lieu of flowers.
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