Harry R. Riley

Harry R. Riley, of Colchester, passed away at his home on July 31, 2022.  He was 93 years old.  Born in Keeseville, NY on June 1, 1929, he was a son of the late Harry and Nessie (Frazier) Riley.  Harry was a proud veteran having served in two wars, Korean and Vietnam, with the U.S. Navy as a submariner from 1948 – 1967. He was employed at Schuster’s Express as a diesel mechanic until his retirement. He also volunteered for the ambulance service in Colchester for many years. Harry’s beloved wife, Rosemay A. Destromp, predeceased him on May 3, 2011.  The couple made their home and raised their family in Colchester.   Harry was a communicant of St. Andrew Church in Colchester. He was an avid ‘good ole country’ music lover. Harry was always the jokester. He enjoyed getting a good ice cream at one of his favorite places like Salem Valley Farms. He enjoyed traveling mostly to spend time with his family. He loved playing cards at the senior center in Colchester.  His loss will be mourned by many, especially his family, Robert Riley of Summerville, SC, Kevin Riley of Summerville, SC, Edward (Vickie) Riley of Glastonbury, CT, Linda (Robert) Hodge of Dallas, TX, Debbie Austin of Summerville, SC; siblings, Barbara Lombard of MD and Rosemarie Czarnecki of FL; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren and a host of extended family members and friends. In addition to his wife and parents, Harry was predeceased by a son, Patrick Riley, grandson, Eric Riley, great-granddaughter, Estelle Riley-Howard, and siblings, Henry, John, Oral, Edna Ryan, Doris Lacey, Betty LaForce, Irene McDonald and Regina Stanley. He will be sadly missed but always remembered by his companion, Leona Caron. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 8th, with calling hours from 10 – 11:30 am at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester, followed by a funeral Mass at St. Andrew Church in Colchester at 12 noon and burial in New St. Andrew Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harry’s memory to: Hartford Healthcare At Home, Norwich Office Unit 4B, 1290 Silas Deane Hwy., Weathersfield, CT 06019.  For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com    

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