Several weeks ago, 19pondstreet completed a year of posting the birthdays of its past and present family members. Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading these vignettes. I think it’s nice to re-acquaint with relatives both near and far, especially when it can be done in true Riley fashion, by not having to engage with anyone face-to-face.
If you know of someone’s birthday that is missing, please, let me know. Then, that special day will be posted on his/her appropriate upcoming date.
When this site initially launched, there was some trepidation concerning posting references to family members under the age of 16. But given the prevalent use of social media, that anxiousness now seems a bit pointless, so it is time to make amends.
During the last 6 months, we have had two new additions to the 6th generation of the Riley family tree. As best as I can determine, we now have 6 members of the 6th generation. They should be acknowledged and celebrated! So let’s begin:
Born on this Date – June 7th
Theodore Francis Murzycki was born on this date in Worcester, Massachusetts way back in 2017 to Elizabeth (Mulligan) Murzycki and Nicholas Murzycki. Teddy, as he is best known, has Gail (Benoit) Mulligan and Kevin Francis Xavier Mulligan as grandparents. Besides being a big brother, a toy truck foreman and possessor of a great smile, Teddy shares his birthday with his aunt Susan and his great-great grandfather, Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955).
Susan Marie Moore is the daughter of Judith A. Mulligan (1938-1962) and David Moore. Susan’s grandmother was the late Margaret Ernestine Riley and her grandfather was the late Walter Frances Xavier Mulligan.
Susan was a special education teacher, and later a special education administrator. She is now a real estate agent in South County, Rhode Island.
Happy Birthday, Susan, and here’s to many successful open houses!
Nancy is enjoying her Birthday in the lovely town of Bristol, Rhode Island, where it is going to be about 63 degrees and partly sunny. It doesn’t happen every birthday for Nancy, but this year America is giving her a three day weekend. Plenty of time for her husband Tony, son Nick and daughter Catherine to pull together something special for Nancy’s day.
Happy Birthday to one of Raytheon’s Happy Road Warriors.
Patsy, as his sisters called him, would have been 120 today. A second generation American, PJ witnessed many changes. As a young man he experienced the common sight of horse and buggy’s on the streets of Pawtucket and later saw man walk on the moon. He survived his own attack of the Spanish Flu and lived through the Great Depression, WWI, and WWII. He had five children and lost two wives. Patrick Joseph was blessed with a personality that allowed all he met to feel important and relaxed. He had a mountain of patience, he had to, he was my dad.
Sunday morning at the Monitor Club (L-R) Fred Casey, owner and my Godfather; Bill Coleman, Rita Riley’s brother, Patrick J. Riley and Happy Leeburn
Maryanne is celebrating her day out in Southern California, where it is going to be 68 degrees and partly sunny. The “kids” are out on their own, so the pressure is on husband Bob to come through big!
Happy Birthday, Maryanne, the wine will taste better without the mask.
Frederick Albert Daley was born on this day in 1927 in Central Falls, Rhode Island to the late Delia Bridget Calahan Daley(b. 1882 in Ireland – 1964) and the late John Thomas Daley (1882 – 1968).
The 1930 US Census records Nick, as he was called, living at 57 Grand Avenue in Pawtucket along with his parents, and his two older brothers, Joseph F. and John T., Jr. An interesting tidbit from that census shows that his mother spoke Gaelic (Irish).
How does Nick Daley figure into the Riley Family Tree? Well, on November 9, 1953, Nick married Joan Louise Riley at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church on Central Avenue in the City of Pawtucket. A nice aside to this marriage is that Joan’s dad, Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985) was a very good friend of Nick’s dad way before Joan and Nick even met. The guys used to frequent the Monitor Club on Meadow Street for a taste and some cards. Ah, the wonders of Pawtucket!
Nick was six feet tall and about 145 lbs, not big by today’s standards, but he was athletic enough in his day to play some varsity basketball for Bryant College. He loved local politics. Later on, in the late 1970’s, Nick was elected to the Pawtucket City Council.
Nick and Joan had six children: Fred (1957-1957), Tammie, Maryanne, John, Lynne and Elizabeth. Today, this Daley-Riley connection has grown to include 11 grandchildren. I’m sure the two old friends from the Monitor Club would be very proud.
Unfortunately, Nick passed away in November of 1991, when was he was 64 years old.
Brenda Jane Welsh was born on this date in Attleboro, Massachusetts to Constance (Mulligan) Welsh (b. 1924) and the late Joseph D. Welsh (1921-2003). Brenda’s maternal grandmother was the late Kathleen A. (Riley) Mulligan (1899-1988) and her great grandmother was the late Marguetta E. (Greenhalgh) Riley (1876-1962).
Brenda and her sister Beverly grew up in Foxboro, MA. The family lived on a very nice piece of property located on Mill Street. It was her parents who kept up the annual family cookout/reunion, which drew relatives from all the various branches of the family.
After Foxboro High School, Brenda attended Mercyhurst College. Soon after graduation, she began her career as an elementary school teacher.
On April 21, 1984, Brenda married A. Toman Fayed. They have two sons, Ryan and Timothy, and two grandsons Grant and Nolan. Besides raising their family and dedicating themselves to their professions, Brenda and Toman became quite accomplished tennis line judges, officiating at major tournaments throughout the U.S.
A Happy “Stay at Home” Birthday to Brenda!
Since Brenda seems to have perfected the art of avoiding photos of herself, particulary with the Rileys (well she always was one of the smart ones), here are a couple from way back in the archives.
Brenda sitting on her dad’s lap (Joe), Grandma Riley and Benda’s mom, Connie. Taken at 19 Pond Street around 1953Brenda, Martha at the door, Paula, Dennis, Joe Welsh and Kevin Taken at 19 Pond Street 1953Top Row: Martha, Judy, Janet, Russell, Connie Middle: Grandpa Riley, Paula, Grandma Riley Front: Kevin, Dennis and Brenda 1953
Erin Fleury was born on this day in the City of Warwick to Karen (Matteson) Fleury and Timothy Patrick Fleury. Erin’s grandparents were the late Barbara (Riley) Fleury (1927-2015) and the late Richard B. Fleury, Sr. (1928-1992).
Although born in Warwick, Erin grew up in Central Massachusetts, where she attended the local schools and graduated from Wachusett Regional High School. Erin had a great academic and athletic career. Soccer was the sport in which she excelled. Not only did Erin make varsity each of her four years, but she became a standout on several of the Massachusetts AAU club teams. After high school, Erin chose University of Mass – Lowell to pursue her academic and soccer interests. Injuries prevented Erin from having a full four year playing career. However, in a testament to her own determination and in dedication to her teammates, Erin became an integral member of the coaching staff. Others may have walked away from the situation, but Erin embraced the circumstance and turned it into a positive.
Senior Day for Univ of MA – Lowell Women’s Soccer with Dad and Mom
Speaking of positives, on September 5, 2016, Erin married a great guy, Michael Garceau in a wonderful setting at the Tewksbury, MA Country Club. Now, almost four years later, Erin and Mike are eagerly awaiting a new addition to the lives, later this summer.
John Patrick Daley was born on this day in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Joan Louise (Riley) Daley (1929-2019) and the late Frederick “Nick” Daley (1927-1991). John’s paternal grandmother was the late Delia “Bridget” Calahan. A true woman of Eire, whose Irish lilt would make you smile, she would be very proud of her grandson. John’s maternal grandfather was the late Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985).
Along with his four siblings (Tammie, Maryanne, Lynne and Beth), John grew up in Pawtucket on Catherine Street, just off Columbus Avenue. He went to school in Pawtucket and graduated from Tolman High School. Even as a young boy and adolescent, John had the type of personality that, at a minimum, was outgoing and infectious. He has always had a cadre of friends. Everyone knew John and John knew everyone. To this day, John is still fast friends with many of his childhood buddies. All one has to do is sit with him at a ballgame anywhere in the Blackstone Valley, whether it be little league or a top flight high school game, and you’ll witness the constant flow of enthusiastic greetings and embraces from his many acquaintances and friends.
Tolman High School graduation picture
Being a Daley, he played baseball. Whether it be minor league, where most of the little guys paid more attention to the post game snacks than the baseball, or in a very good Darlington Little League, John played hard and played well.
A “Senior Little League” game played in Slater Park best illustrates John’s hard-nosed attitude and devotion to the game. I was sitting in the stands with his dad and his uncle, Dick Fleury. It was an ordinary game like so many before it, but it took a turn that caused it to be etched in my mind forever. John was behind the plate, handling the game and his pitcher with ease. At the time, John was maybe 5’6″ or 5’7″ with a skin-and-bones look that testified to his 120 pound physique. There was a runner on second, and then a hit to left. There would be a play at the plate. As the throw came in from left field, John straddled the plate. He moved up the baseline a foot or two to assume a defiant and defensive position that even Carlton Fisk or Jason Varitek would have admired. The throw from the outfield reached John’s catcher’s mitt a second or two before the baserunner lowered his 5’10” and 165 pound frame dead smack into Johnny’s mitt and chest! The resulting dramatic impact not only drew gasps and some expletive shouts, but it sent John flying up in the air and backwards towards the backstop. As the dirt flew and the dust settled, John could be seen laying still on the ground. His dad hopped the fence and was on his way to his motionless son, but at that moment John gave us a glimpse of that defiant attitude that has come to serve him well. He got to his knees, then stood up straight, dusted himself off and went back behind the plate to continue the game. It was great! He was great! The only thing missing was some loudspeaker blasting the theme from a “Rocky” movie. His uncle Dick, who had played some semi-pro softball himself as a catcher, said that he had never seen such a home plate collision. It might have been a knockdown, but John wouldn’t let it be a knockout.
One of John’s best decisions in was marrying Debbie Troufield. On a very cold evening on December 21, 1997, John and Debbie began their married life together at the Grace Community Church in Seekonk, Massachusetts. John is very fortunate to have found a life partner with such kindness, grace and love for others. She is a gift.
John and Deb now have two sons, John Frederick called “Nick” and Patrick John. John was also stepfather to the late Joshua Troufield.
And of special note, John and Debbie have been fostering children in their Attleboro home for many years.
Debbie and John walking down the aisle 12/21/1997
Here’s to ya, Johnny. Happy Birthday and take two and hit to right.
Andrew Greenhalgh was born on this day in 1879 in Lonsdale, Rhode Island to the late Margaret Cullen (1848-1915) and the late John Greenhalgh (1845-1907).
This is the first time that a Greenhalgh has been featured in this blog. Why so? Well, one of Andrew’s five siblings was Marguetta E. (Greenhalgh) Riley (1876-1962), known by most of the older, present day Rileys as Grandma Riley.
Uncle Andrew Greenhalgh and his sister, Marguetta E. Riley
As best as I can remember, Uncle Andrew was “a presence” at #19-21 Pond Street. After checking the census records and the city directories, it appears Uncle Andrew began living with the Pond Street Rileys sometime in 1935. He remained in-residence, and an integral part of the family, until his death in 1962.
However during World War II, Uncle Andrew spent time in Waterbury, Connecticut. At the age of 61, Andrew went there to work in a factory in support of the War effort. A printer by trade, he utilized those skills in his factory job. At the time, Andrew lived with his fellow workers in an open dormitory type setting at the Waterbury Boys’ Club.
Back in the early 1940’s, working toward the War effort was the routine. What made Uncle Andrew’s effort noteworthy was his physical handicap. When he was a child, Andrew fell off the back of a tip cart
For those of you unfamiliar with what a tip cart looked like.
and severely injured his right leg, resulting in a permanent handicap. For the rest of his life, his leg was encased in a heavy metal brace that ran from just above his knee to the bottom of his shoe. It looked like it weighed a ton.
The brace may have slowed him down a bit, but didn’t stop him. Uncle Andrew’s prized possessions were his huge cars fully equipped with hand controls. If I remember correctly, he braked with his left leg, while the speed and shifting were controlled with hand levers. His automobiles always had lots of chrome and large, decorative continental kits hanging off the back. The cars had lots of color and personality, something that some say Uncle Andrew lacked.
When I was growing up, whenever there would be a reference to Andrew, the referring phrase would always be, “Poor Uncle Andrew.” It was said in obvious sympathy, because of the physical struggles he endured. Through the years, Grandma Riley, along with Marion and Gertie, really went to great lengths to support and encourage him. Being a printer by trade, and never owning his own business, his financial well-being wasn’t the best. He was supported and augmented financially by his nieces Marion and Gertie. It was very typical of his two kind nieces.
In 1962, on a Sunday morning, a couple of weeks after Uncle Andrew’s passing, the task of going through his belongings fell to his nephews, Patrick J. and Francis C. Riley. There weren’t many clothes and just a few personal items. At the foot of his bed was an old trunk, which his two nephews had to pry open with a hammer and screwdriver. As they were sorting through the last of his worldly possessions, the sympathetic and endearing phrase of “Poor Uncle Andrew” took an unsuspected twist. Low and behold, the trunk held some neatly tied stacks of cash! Seems Poor Uncle Andrew had been stashing away cash for a rainy day – or year. The exact amount may have been north of $30,000. The then, laughing brothers turned the money back over to Marion and Gertie…heck, it was probably their own money.
Joan Louise (Riley) Daley was born on this day in 1929 in the City of Pawtucket to the late Margaret Cecelia McSally Riley (1900-1938) and the late Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985). Her maternal grandparents were the late Margaret A. (Corbishley) McSally (1877-1940) and James A. McSally (1875-1928). On Joan’s paternal side, her grandmother was Marguetta E. (Greenhalgh) Riley (1976-1962) and Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955).
Joan, the second born of Margaret and Patrick, lived her life in Pawtucket.
Joanie and her “older sister’ Barbara
When Joan was only eight years old, she and her three siblings lost their mother to cancer. Joan was probably a 2nd grader when her mother passed.
After attending J.C. Potter Elementary School, Lyman Goff Junior High School and graduating from Tolman High School in 1946, Joan began her working career.
Joan’s high school graduation picture
One of her first positions was with Pinault’s Pharmacy, on the corner of Armistice and Newport Avenues. Joan, along with her older sister Barbara, worked all the counters, except for the one that sold liquor.
After a while, Joan became a “telephone operator” with NET & T (New England Telephone and Telegraph). It was a coveted position, which Joan held for some time. Later on in her working career, she was a supervisor in a newspaper distribution company. Joan was a long-time teacher’s aide for the Pawtucket School Department, working along side her sister-in-law Kathy Riley.
It was on November 9, 1952 that Joan Louise Riley married Frederick “Nick” A. Daley (1927-1991) in St. Leo’s Church in Pawtucket, RI. The reception was held at Joan’s home, 37 Perrin Avenue, Pawtucket. The administrator of this blog can still remember what a great time that was, and the desserts were the best!
Joan and Nick brought six children into the world: Fred (1957-1957), Tammie, Maryanne, John, Lynne and Elizabeth. When Joan left us on June 29, 2019, this Daley family had grown to include 11 grandchildren.
Don’t know if there was ever a more loyal Red Sox fan than Joan. God forbid if you told her you were a Yankee fan! Pretty sure she has already had many a conversation with all the Red Sox players who somehow have managed to make it into heaven.
Dennis Patrick J. Riley was born on this day in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Margaret F. (Bartley) Riley (1911-1978) and the late Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985). His great grandfather, Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955), was a first-generation American, which makes Dennis a third-generation American.
First camera 63 years ago today
Benefiting from growing up in the Darlington section of Pawtucket and having twelve years of Catholic school education, Dennis’s life went relatively smoothly. Not too much to report, other than being blessed with great parents and having two wonderful sisters (Barbara & Joan) and two tempestuous brothers (Bill & Jim) whom had already reached adulthood by the time he was born, thereby allowing him to be spoiled to the enth degree! He thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Taken at home 37 Perrin Ave, Pawtucket
Blessed to be married to Kathleen Mary McLoughlin Riley and thank you to the Sisters of Mercy…
Ben Nelson was born on this day in Providence, Rhode Island to Lynne (Daley) Nelson and Russell Nelson. Ben’s grandmother was the late Joan (Riley) Daley (1929-2019) and his great grandfather was the late Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985).
Growing up in Middletown, Ben attended the local elementary and middle schools, and is now enrolled in Middletown High School. Having a good mixture of both Riley and Daley genes, so naturally… Ben plays baseball. Blessed with great speed and quick hands, Ben patrols second base for Middletown’s High School Varsity team and was 2nd Team All-State last year!
Here is Ben pictured with his late grandmother Joan. She never missed a game.
Here’s wishing Ben a great baseball season and a very, very Happy Birthday.
Staci (Fleury) Ferreira was born on this date in Providence to Darleen (Fisher) Fleury and Richard “Rick” Fleury. Staci’s grandmother was the late Barbara (Riley) Fleury (1927-2015) and the late Richard “Dick” Fleury (1928-1992). Her great-grandfather was the late Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985).
Staci grew up in Bristol, Rhode Island and graduated from Our Lady of Fatima High School in Warren, RI. She went on to graduate from the University of Rhode Island.
In June of 2009, Staci married Michael Ferreira, also of Bristol, at Saint Catherine’s Church in Warwick, RI. Following their wedding, a very nice reception was held at the Ledgemont County Club in Seekonk, MA.
Staci and Michael have two boys, Zachary and Jacob. Here is a nice family picture of the Ferreiras:
In the Nation’s CapitolHappy Birthday Staci. I’m sure the Ferreira boys are waiting on you hand and foot.
19 Pond Street 