Gerard James Riley

Gerard James Riley, of Fox Hollow Rd., in Shandaken, died at Kingston Hospital on January 13, 2011 after a long illness. He was born in the Bronx, NY, the son of the late Clarence and Florence (Canfield) Riley. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother John "Jack" Riley. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York, and after serving in the US Navy, attended Hunter College in New York and graduated with a B.A. in Journalism. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His first job was with the New York Stock Exchange where he reported on Exchange news to the New York Times and Herald Tribune. He also worked for the American Institute of Sanitation Management, the Carpet Institute, and the Petroleum Institute before moving on to CPC International, Inc. (now Unilever, Inc.) where he was Manager of Investor Relations. He was a gifted writer, and was responsible for writing and producing the company annual report, quarterly reports, press releases, and speeches. He retired to his home in Shandaken, NY in 1983. He loved sailing and the ocean. He had a lifelong passion for music, especially classical, opera and Dixieland jazz. He was an avid reader, particularly of history. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 32 years, Lynn (Vilar Sposato) Riley and their two sons, David (Anneke) of Quincy, MA and Douglas at home. He was an exceptionally devoted husband and father and his family will miss him terribly. He is survived also by his sons, Geoffrey Riley (Joi) and their sons Jordan and Zack and Gerry Riley (Donna). He was happy for the time he shared with Geoff and Gerry in these last years. He is also survived by two daughters, Pan Riley and Deirdre Serio, a sister Dorothy Dempsey and extended family. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave., Kingston on Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Monday at 12:00 at the funeral home followed by private interment in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Town of Shandaken. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Rd., Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or to Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250, Los Angeles, CA 90036.