Obituary of John E. Riley

John E. Riley, age 98, died on Monday, May 31, 2004 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung. Born in Sugar Notch PA, he resided in Plainfield for 65 years before moving to Watchung four years ago. Mr. Riley received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education from Rutgers University. Prior to his retirement in 1967, Mr. Riley worked for forty years for the South Plainfield Board of Education as a teacher, elementary school Principal, and an interim Superintendent of Schools. He was honored for his work in the school system by having a new elementary school named after him; the John E. Riley School in South Plainfield. Since 1946, till the mid 1980s, Mr. Riley was employed by the NJ Racing Association in the money room. He was an active member at St. Marys R.C. Church in Plainfield. He also was a member of the National, State and local education associations. Mr. Riley is predeceased by his wife Mary (Livingston) Riley in 1990 and a son-in-law Anthony J. Frezza in 1989. He is survived by his son John T. Riley and his wife Estela of Nanuet, NY; two daughters Joan Frezza of North Plainfield and Sr. Nancy Riley, RSM of Watchung; two brothers Thomas Riley of Detroit MI and Edward Riley of San Jose CA;six grandchildren, Ann Marie Coffey, Joanne Bothe, Mary Katherine Cavallero, Toni Lynn Luisi, Joseph and Anthony Frezza. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren, Marla, Anthony C., John, Nicholas, Morgan, Jake, and James and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday June 3rd 2004 at 10:30 am from the Higgins Home for Funerals 209 West 8th St. Plainfield followed by an 11:00 am funeral Mass at St. Marys R.C. Church in Plainfield and interment at St. Gertrudes Cemetery in Colonia. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 1633 U.S Highway # 22 , Watchung NJ 07069