Horace C. Riley
EAST FAIRFIELD: Horace C. Riley, 91, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 15th, 2023.
Horace was born in East Fairfield on November 18th, 1932, the son of John and Anna (Brennan) Riley. His Catholic faith was important to him throughout his life and he served as an altar boy when he was young. He graduated from Brigham Academy in 1950 and served in the Army in Germany during the Korean War era.
Horace was beloved in his community. His smile was broad and ever-present. As a rural letter carrier and cattle dealer for over 30 years, people were eager to share their lives with him and he loved to listen. He also loved spending summers at the family camp on Lake Champlain where evenings were often spent playing cards.
Horace was a devoted husband to Barbara (Hale) Riley of East Fairfield for 63 years. They enjoyed dancing, traveling to Ireland and beyond, cheering for the Boston Red Sox, and spending time with family and friends.
He was the proud father of and is survived by his three children Diana L. Young of Newton, MA, John S. Riley of East Fairfield, and Lisa A. Riley of St. Albans, and Chambly, Quebec and her fiancée Sylvain Leblanc; grandfather to Victoria and Isabelle Young, Josh and Logan Riley; and great-grandfather to Sophia and Isabella “Bella” Riley. Horace is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
As the youngest of seven, Horace was predeceased by his siblings Helen Patch, Barb Stone, Walter Riley, Robert “Bubby” Riley, Dick Riley, and Francis Riley. He was also predeceased by his brothers-in-law Phil Patch and Irving “Bug” Stone, and his son-in-law Steven Young.
Horace will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Services will be held at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans with visiting hours on Thursday, December 21st, from 4 -7 pm.
A Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church in East Fairfield, VT on Friday, December 22nd, at 11 am. Interment will be in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC) at https://www.friendsofnorthernlakechamplain.org/donate, or P.O. Box 1145, Saint Albans, VT 05478. Please make your gift payable to Friends of Northern Lake Champlain.
Honored to be serving the family of Horace is Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com
