Obituary of Daniel J Riley

Dan was born March 10, 1925 in Rochester, NY to Daniel J and Mary Alice Barringer Riley. He is a 1943 graduate of Rochester's East High School. He attended Alfred University and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1952. Survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Elaine, and children: Margaret (Andrew Kimball) of Washington, VT; Mary of Chelsea, VT; Robert of Clifton Park, NY; Terry of Ballston Spa, NY; Cathy of Schenectady, NY; and grandchildren: Adelie and Daniel Mascoveta; Ben, Dylan and Ethan Bruhns; Emma and Maie Kimball; and 3 great grandchildren. Dan retired in 1987 as an Area Sales Manager (NY, VT, PA, western MA), ending a 31 year career with the Unilever Corporation. He served as a legislative aide at the NYS Assembly from 1988 to 1996, after which time he and Elaine moved to Florida. They returned to Clifton Park in 2003 to be closer to the children and grandchildren. He was a 44-year resident of Clifton Park and a 51-year resident of Lake Titus in the northern Adirondacks. A co-founder in 1989 of the National LSM Association (WW II Navy Amphibious Forces); board member and editor of Alligator Alley, the association newsletter. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and served as Signalman 3rd class and gunner on the LSM 256 (1944-1946) in the Pacific Theatre. Recipient of the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal w/ bronze star, Phillipine Liberation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, China Service Medal, and Victory Medal. Postwar duty in Japan and China. Dan and Elaine organized the annual Lake Titus Open golf tournament for 18 years and the "Alligator Open" golf tournament at Navy reunion sites throughout the United States 1991-2006. Chosen for an Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC in 2014. He was an active war protester in Florida 1995-2003. A 20-year volunteer for Florida and New York hospices; volunteer for Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home, St. John's/St. Ann's Welcome Table (25 years), and held many other volunteer positions in retirement. Member of Clifton Park-Halfmoon Memorial VFW Post 1498. Free-lance writer of memoirs, poetry, essays and fiction, his writing was published in newspapers, literary reviews, Book Friendly (Clifton Park-Halfmoon Friends of Library), magazines and other publications. Author of "My Life, My Words", a collection of memoirs, essays and poetry – Copyright 2016. He loved his family, his friends, his fellow veterans, his dogs, Josh and Winnie the Pooch, poetry and literature, classical music, the Sunday morning talk shows, The New York Times, NPR, PBS, Jeopardy, the Chicago Cubs, Syracuse Orange, his fellow writers in the Writers Circle, his daily stretching and walk around his neighborhood, and early morning golf in Florida. His happiest times were shared with Elaine traveling throughout the US, the Caribbean, Ireland and the British Isles; the love of his life and best friend who took care of him for 70 years. And with their son and four daughters, and their many Lake Titus friends; the nightly cribbage with Elaine; 25 years of Member-Guest tournaments at the Malone Golf Club with his son, Bob. His watchword: "Always give money to street musicians." Donations to his memory can be made to any animal shelter, The Mansion at South Union – 11 South Union St., Cambridge, NY 12816, or Hernando-Pasco Hospice – 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667. "On your journey down the fairway of life, remember to stop and smell the flowers for you only get to play one round." Interment with military honors will be conducted at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on Friday 10/18/24 at 1 PM. A get together at the American Legion Old Saratoga Post 278, in Schuylerville, will be held after the service. Friends and family welcome to both.