SisterMartha Mulligan, RSM (Religious Sister of Mercy) has a birthday today. Sister was born in Pawtucket, and grew up in the neighborhood near Memorial Hospital.
Martha’s parents, Walter F. X. Mulligan (1906-1957) and Margaret E. (Riley) Mulligan (1910-1989) had four children. Martha was their second born, with Judy being the first, and Paula and Kevin following along.
Martha entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in Cumberland back in 1957. Today she is still devoting herself to the spiritual needs of others, while being part of the Ministry at Bishop Feehan High School.
Wishing Sister Martha the best of birthdays, and, as always, a nice cup of tea!
Athrow back photo of then Sister Walter Marie…and now as we know Martha!
Robert Andrew Ricci III, son of Pawtucket’s Maryanne (Daley) Ricci and Robert Ricci, began his stay on Earth back on this day in La Jolla, CA. Robert Andrew’s maternal grandparents were the late Joan (Riley) Daley (1929-2019) and Frederick “Nick” Daley (1927-1991).
Robert Andrew has already met with success in life. So far, he’s been a member of the National Honor Society at La Costa High School, a four-year member of the school’s golf team, its team captain in his senior year and the individual league champion!
A graduate of California Polytechnic, Robert Andrew’s now building a productive career and life out in Colorado.
Here’s to a great birthday weekend, Robert Andrew. Have an IPA on us!
California born and still California cool, Happy Birthday, Robert!
William “Bill” Leo Riley, Jr., oldest son of William Leo Riley, Sr. (1912-1985) and Helen Manning Riley (1921-1924), celebrates a major birthday today.
Bill has had himself a couple of very big events in the last few days with retirement last week and today’s celebration.
Hey, Bill, how was it having the opportunity to sleep in on a Monday morning?
Happy Birthday, Bill, we at 19pondstreet will lift a cold one in your honor!
Kathleen (Katie) Riley, was born on this date in Providence to Pawtucket’s Reagan McVay and Paul Christopher Riley, son of William Leo Riley (1912-1985) and Helen Manning Riley (1921-1994)
Katie grew up in the Pawtucket neighborhood just off Columbus and Newport Avenues. This was where she saw a lot of her cousin, Joan Riley Daley (1929-2019), who lived just across the street!
Katie, the Riley clan wishes you the Happiest of Birthdays.
Richard B. Fleury, Jr., was born on this day in Providence to Barbara (Riley) Fleury (1927-2015) and Richard Bernard Fleury (1928-1992).
Rick, as he is better known, grew up in the Darlington section of Pawtucket, right off Daggett Avenue. It was a great location. It had access to a couple of vacant lots perfect for sandlot baseball, an elementary school playground down the street with a basketball court, and just enough access to some wooded areas for an adventurous boy on a bike. The second born of Barbara and Dick’s four children, Rick was preceded by Cindy, then followed by siblings Tim and Nancy. He grew up in a family with wonderful parents and great siblings.
Rick’s life was spiced with dashes of St Leo’s Elementary School, CYO basketball and baseball, St Raphael’s Academy, both softball and golf, and then topped off with a degree from Northeastern University. While still at NU, Rick began his working career at Raytheon, where his efforts resulted in having his name attached to several patents – there’s a whole secrecy thing surrounding them, so don’t ask.
After college, Rick continued his participation in high level amateur sports, always trying to improve his footwork and moves with some success. It wasn’t until the Spring of ’78 that Rick completed his best move, when he married Darleen Fisher. Two children (Staci and Tim), four grandchildren and a beautiful restored mustang later, life has been pretty good for another kid from Pawtucket.
You know this kid never got in trouble in elementary school.Rick with his lovely bride Darleen
William Leo Riley, Sr. (1912-1985) was born in Pawtucket. With the exception of his 3 1/2 years in the US Army during WWII, Bill lived his life residing within a mile of where he was born.
He married Helen Manning in September of 1952. The couple had three children, Patricia, William L. (Bill), Paul, and later three grandchildren.
I always called him Uncle Bill. Smart, knowledgeable on many subjects, and ready to engage in conversation. When you’d see him come into the house on Pond Street, or the home on Wilton Avenue, he’d gently doff his soft felt Fedora hat, nod his head, say hello to everyone, and chime in on the news of the day.
Uncle Bill, a second generation Irish-American, was a hard working family guy and a combat infantry soldier in France and Italy. Here is my favorite picture of him in his soldier kakis.
Not sure where this was taken, maybe just before he shipped out to the European Theater.
Check out the April 28, 2014 blog entry to see a portion of a hand written letter Bill sent to my father from somewhere in France while conducting his combat missions.
Brian Lightfoot Brown, son of Patricia Riley Brown and Keith Romaine Brown, grandson of William Leo Riley (1912-1985) and Helen (Manning) Riley (1921-1994) was born in Westerly, Rhode Island but grew up in Pawtucket.#
Brian is now living in the Phoenix, Arizona area, but as you can read from a recent posting, Brian still feels Pawtucket’s strong emotional tug. I thought it would be nice to include his own words in today’s birthday acknowledgement. Brian’s words not only verify the adage, “A house is a home,” but are a loving reference to his grandfather, William, who was born 108 years ago on July 24th.
“So the house I grew up in is for sale. The house was perfectly placed between Memorial Hospital and McCoy Stadium. I grew up on Arch Street in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. My maternal grandparents bought this house in March of 1954, when my Mother was just 6 months old. Both grandparents were from Pawtucket, but this house was more in my Grandfather’s stomping grounds. My Grandparents added 2 sons to the household and raised their family at 81 Arch Street. I recall many visits to see my Grandparents. In 1979, my parents got divorced and my Mother moved back in with my Grandparents, but with my younger brother and I in tow. My Mom’s youngest brother still lived at home, finishing college at that time. This was my home, my Mother’s home before that. My Grandfather built a shed in the backyard, literally finishing it merely 2 weeks or so before his death in 1985. This was the house where I was raised. The backyard where I played baseball with friends and where my high school graduation party was held in 1992. My Grandmother held on to the house until her death in 1994. My Uncle then moved out, it was just my Mom, my brother and I in the house now. My brother and I were just getting into our young adult years, cracking into our 20s. But then in 1999, we had to give up the house and move. This has honestly disturbed me ever since. A few months after we moved out, a high school acquaintance of my brother’s bought the house. It was unnerving to see someone living there, but what could we do. Years later, it appeared that the owners moved out and were renting the home but made some renovations and yesterday, my brother showed me photos and that our childhood home is for sale. Oh how I wish I could afford it. I have vowed that if I ever come into enough money, I will buy this house back. It will be a chip on my shoulder until the day comes when my family owns this house, or until I take my last breath on this earth. There is no “getting over it, I will always long for reconnection to this house, end of story.”
Happy Birthday, Brian! May you be blessed with a powerful air conditioner. In Phoenix, the high temp is expected to be 100 with a low of 85 on your special day.
A proud Narragansett, Brian Lightfoot Brown at Scorpion Gulch, Phoenix, AZ
Emerson Arthur Fleury was born on this date in Providence to Karen Serpa Fleury and Timothy Fleury. On Emerson’s paternal side, his grandparents are Richard “Rick” and Darleen Fleury; great-grandparents the late Richard B. Fleury (1928-1992) and Barbara (Riley) Fleury (1927-2015) and his great great-grandfather, Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985).
Emerson can trace his Riley bloodline back 6 generations to 1862, which just happens to be the same year that his namesake, Ralph Waldo Emerson transcended into the afterlife.
Happy Birthday, Emerson! May your life be as sweet as your birthday cake and may your adventures be as rich as its frosting.
May Emerson always have some Irish luckPrepping to color those Easter eggsEmerson proudly showing off his little brother Eliot
Paul Christopher Riley came into this world in Providence, but lived his younger years in Pawtucket within earshot of the cheers and jeers of McCoy Stadium.
Paul is the third child born to William Leo Riley (1912-1985) and Helen Frances Manning (1921-1994). His paternal grandparents were Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) and Marguetta E. Greenhalgh (1876-1962).
A double Saint and a Friar (St Joseph’s, St Ray’s and Providence College), Paul could, and probably still can, play an effortless second base. Just about everyone of a certain age in Pawtucket knows this “Riles.” The type of guy who stands with you, stands for you and stands by you.
Have a good one today, Paul!
Here is Paul (on the left) with his sister Patricia and brother Bill.
Caroline Ricci was born on this date in La Jolla, CA to Maryanne (Daley) Ricci and Robert Ricci. Caroline’s maternal grandparents were the late Joan (Riley) Daley (1929-2019) and the late Frederick (Nick) Daley (1927-1991).
Although growing up a Southern Californian girl, CC, as she is known, has plenty of Pawtucket and Little Rhody running through her veins. Aunts, uncles, and cousins galore are scattered throughout her East Coast family tree. Her dad is a Pawtucket guy and her paternal grandfather, Robert L. Ricci holds a commanding position with the Rhode Island State Senate.
Competitiveness in both academics and athletics have been CC’s hallmarks since she was in elementary school. In high school Caroline was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as a varsity field hockey and lacrosse player. In her senior year, she was captain and led her teams to the number 1 ranking in California. Following high school, Caroline graduated from Marist College where she continued with lacrosse and studied abroad in Florence, Italy.
Happy Birthday Caroline! Keep enjoying life amongst the vineyards.
Timothy M. Fleury, son of Richard (Rick) and Darleen Fleury, was born on this date in Providence, and grew up in Bristol, RI.
Tim’s had a pretty good couple of years lately. Married the lovely Karen Serpa, began married life in Cumberland and welcomed two sons into the world, Emerson and Eliot. But, that’s not all, today he got a new quarterback!
Karen and Tim in front of the Rhode Island StatehouseAll three Fleury boys
Andrew McNaught, son of Tammie (Daley) McNaught and Peter McNaught was born in Providence on this date.
This past year has been a pretty good one for Andrew. He completed his Masters Degree requirements at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and received a very nice promotion at National Grid. Let’s just say that when you mention Andrew’s name to someone, the response is, “Ah, you mean the guy with his hand on the power switch.”
Jacob Richard Ferreira was born on this day in Providence to Staci Fleury and Michael Ferreira. Jacob’s grandparents (on the Riley side) are Darleen and Richard (Rick) Fleury.
As a six year old, Jacob is probably not that interested that his Birthday is being acknowledged on the blog. Today his attention is most likely focused elsewhere on things like cake, ice cream, a party, a present or two and having a good time. After all, it is his special day.
It’s a great time for the Ferreiras and the Fleurys to celebrate, to look forward to what is to come and to review what has been. Also, this gives 19pondstreet the opportunity to introduce a new generation, a 6th generation of Americans. Jacob, his brother Zachary, and their four cousins can trace themselves back to May 28, 1862, when Pat Reilly and Rosa Kearnan walked down The Neptune’s gangplank and stepped out into New York City.
Here is the generational line:
1st gen – Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) – Patrick and Rosa’s son
2nd gen – Patrick Joseph Riley (1900-1985)
3rd gen – Barbara Hope Riley Fleury (1927-2015)
4th gen – Richard B. Fleury, Jr
5th gen – Staci Fleury Ferreira
6th gen – Jacob Richard Ferreira
Bet Patrick and Rosa would probably say those fourteen days spent in Neptune’s steerage was well worth it.
Happy Birthday Jacob. May all your future ride be great!
Sean Fleury,* born in Warwick and raised in Massachusetts, has himself a Birthday today. His parents, Karen Ann Matteson and Timothy Patrick Fleury, and his paternal grandparents, the late Richard B. Fleury (1928-1992) and the late Barbara Hope Riley (1927-2015), gifted Sean with some intelligence and athletic ability.
After achieving some “moderate success” with his high school academics and soccer, Sean enrolled at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and played some soccer. By the time he graduated with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, Sean had experienced a four-year varsity career with the RPI soccer team, had a captaincy under his belt, plus he was an ESPN Magazine Academic All-American selection.
Presently, Sean and his bride Mollie Knake** are in Costa Rica on a work assignment and trying to adjust to the “harsh” conditions.
Patrick Leo Riley,* was born on June 7th in 1875 and passed away on April 7, 1955. “Grandpa Riley” was one of 8 Riley First Generation Americans. Later on, Patrick Leo and Marguetta Greenhalgh (1876-1962) contributed 9 new Americans, and aren’t we glad that occurred!
Rose Riley,* shared her June 7th birthday with her brother, Patrick Leo, but she was born twelve later, in 1887. Rose lived her life in Pawtucket and passed on April 5, 1973.
Patrick Leo with Marguetta and three and half year old Dennis – August 1951
see post of June 7th, 2019 for more complete information.
19 Pond Street 