Janet Barbara Schmitz-Riley (September 2, 1944), the late wife of William (Bill) Leo Riley, Jr., was born in Boston, MA to the late Frances Komnatzky and James Howard Schmitz. Janet grew up in Foxboro, MA and had one sister, Ruth.
Bill and Janet were married 22 years before her passing on January 12, 2015. Today, Bill posted on his Facebook page that he misses Janet everyday.
Rita Patricia (Coleman) Riley was born in Pawtucket on this date in 1917 to the late Mary Anne Kenney (1885 – 1952) and the late Martin F. Coleman (1877 – 1853).
Rita lived her whole life in and around Pawtucket, but had strong ties to Ireland with both of her parents being born in The Emerald Isle.
She married Frances Charles Riley (1915 – 2004) in October of 1941, just before Frances joined the US Army and left for WWII in the European Theatre. They had one son, Stephen F. Riley who’s own daughter, Annie celebrated her birthday yesterday.
Rita passed away on January 6, 1974.
Ann Rita Riley was born on this date in Washington, DC to Joan M. Burggraf and Stephen F. Riley. Her paternal grandparents were the late Rita P. Coleman (1917 – 1974) and the late Francis C. Riley (1915 – 2004).
Here’s wishing Annie a great birthday.
Robert Andrew Ricci was born on an August 15th in La Jolla, CA to Maryanne Daley and Robert Ricci.
Robert’s grandmother was the late Joan Riley Daley (1929 – 2019) and his maternal great grandfather was Patrick Joseph Riley (1900 – 1985).
Hope Robert Andrew had a great Birthday.
Liam Mahony was born on this date in Sacramento, CA to Elizabeth Daley and Thomas Mahony. Liam is the oldest of the Mahony’s children.
Liam’s Riley connection is through his maternal grandmother, the late Joan L Riley Daley (1929 – 2019) and his maternal great grandfather, Patrick J. Riley (1900 -1985).
We wish Liam a great Birthday.
Marion Rosemond Riley was born on this date in 1902 to the late Marguetta E. Greenhalgh (1876 – 1962) and the late Patrick Leo Riley (1875 – 1955) in the City of Pawtucket.
Marion was the third born in this second generation family (Kathleen, Patrick J., Marion R., Gertrude C., Rosanna, Margaret E., William L. and Francis C.) and lived her whole life in Pawtucket, primarily in two locations; 19 Pond Street and 52 Wilton Avenue. Although she never married, Marion was engaged to a young man named Robert F. McElroy, who, by all accounts was a great guy. Mr. McElroy, who died on the 10th of January in 1937, actually plays an important part of this blog/website.
Robert’s mother Catherine, a widow, owned the three story house at 19 Pond Street. The Riley family lived on the second and third floors, 21 and 23 respectfully. When Robert passed away, Marion became Catherine’s caregiver. In fact, I seem to recall my father (Patrick J. 1900 -1985) saying that Marion moved downstairs and lived with Mrs. McElroy all in an effort to provide her needed late night care. When Mrs. McElroy passed away, the 19 Pond Street property was deeded to Marion. For the next forty years, 19 Pond Street became the setting for the Riley Family gatherings, thus the name of this blog – 19 Pond Street.
Marion’s working life was spent as a weaver toiling in Pawtucket’s textile factories (I have a wooden bobbin from one of her spinning lines). A quiet and kind woman, Marion loved her cups of tea, her puzzles and novels. She lived 91 years, passing away on August 22, 1993 at the Mount St. Rita’s Health Centre in Cumberland.
Attached are some photos of Marion:
Recently, I was reviewing the information I have on Patrick Riley, who was born in Ireland about 1835 and died in Pawtucket on September 12, 1906. There isn’t much documentation of his early years and some of the information we do have is conflicting. It appears he arrived in New York City on May 28, 1862 and first emerged in Pawtucket, with family in tow, in 1872. It seems bit strange that there is little mention or reference to those 10 years he spent living in and around New York City. Where were he and his young family living? Were they living on their own, or with another branch of the family? Still can’t figure that out.
What gave thought to all of this was a re-reading of the obit of his death in the Evening Times (Pawtucket) on September 12, 1906.
As posted:
“RILEY – In this city, Sept 12th, Patrick Riley. Funeral from his residence, 181 South Bend Street. Saturday Sept 15th. at 8:00 am. Services at St Joseph’s Church. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. New York papers please copy”
What struck me was the last line which called for the New York papers to copy the notice, that is, to post the news of Patrick’s death. To me, that indicates the strong possibility of other Riley family members were still living in the New York City area in 1906. Love to know if that was the case.
William Leo Riley, Jr., born to the late Helen Francis Manning (1921-1984) and the late William Leo Riley (1912-1994). Born in Providence, Bill has lived in and around Pawtucket all his life and was the second of the three Arch Street Riley children.
It is interesting to note, that Bill’s middle name, Leo is shared not with just his father, but also with his grandfather, Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955). It seems they are the only family members to have that name.
Bill lost his wife, Janet Barbara Schmitz Riley on January 12, 2015. May Janet, and all the souls of the faithfully departed, rest in peace.
Marguetta E. Greenhalgh (“Grandma Riley”) (July 27, 1876 – June 10, 1962), was born in North Providence, RI. Her father, the late John Greenhalgh (1845 – 1907) was born in New York City. The Greenhalgh family roots can be traced through Lancashire in the northwest of England. Grandma’s mother, the late Margaret Cullen/Cullon was born in Waltham, MA in 1848. Interesting note on John Greenhalgh, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Marguetta married Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) in 1898 and had eight children: Kathleen (1899-1988), Patrick J. (1900-1985), Marion R. (1902-1993), Gertrude C. (1904-1999), Rosanna (1908-1910), Margaret E. (1910-1989), William L. (1912-1985) and Francis C. (1915-2005).
Grandma Riley was blessed with a strong personality and a commanding presence that, in retrospect, was what the family needed to establish itself in the first part of the 20th century. It wasn’t easy back then, but she was the commander and held them all together.
William Leo Riley (1912-1985), son of the late Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) and the late Marguetta E. Greenhalgh (1876-1962), was born in Pawtucket and resided there all his life.
Bill entered the US Army on the 26th of May, 1942 and spent most of World War II in the European Theatre. On September 6, 1952, he married Helen Francis Manning (1921-1994) in St. Raymond’s Catholic Church on the Providence/Pawtucket line. Bill and Helen had three children: Patricia M., William L., and Paul C.
My parental sources always said that Bill was very smart and a good athlete. He passed away on June 12, 1985 in his home city of Pawtucket.
Brian Lightfoot Brown, son of Patricia M. Riley and Keith R. Brown. Brian, born in Rhode Island, is very proud of his Narragansett ancestry and culture. He is the grandson of the late William L. Riley (1912-1985) and the late Helen F. Manning (1921-1994).
Happy Birthday Brian!
Paul Christopher Riley was born in Providence on this date to William Leo Riley (1912-1985) and Helen Frances Manning (1921-1994). Paul grew up in Pawtucket and has spent most of his life in and around the environs of his home town.
Paul’s grandparents were Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) and Marguetta E. Greenhalgh (1876-1962).
90, of Pawtucket, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Thursday, June 27, 2019. She was the wife of the late Frederick Daley. Born in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Margaret (McSally) Riley. A lifelong resident of Pawtucket, Joan was a teacher’s aide for the city of Pawtucket School Department for 15 years before retiring. She is survived by her children, Tammie McNaught and her husband Peter, Maryanne Ricci and her husband Robert, Lynne Nelson, Elizabeth Mahony and her husband Thomas, and John Daley and his wife Deborah. She also leaves her brother, Dennis Riley and 11 grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Barbara Fleury, James and William Riley, and cousin of the late Margaret Silva. The funeral will be held Monday, July 1st at 9AM from the Costigan-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM in Saint Teresa Church, 358 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Mary Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours Monday from 9-10:30AM, prior to the Mass in the Costigan-O’Neill Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI, 02904, in memory Joan, would be greatly appreciated. http://www.oneillfuneralhomes.com
Margaret Frances (Bartley) Riley (1911-1978) was born and lived her whole life in Pawtucket. Her parents were Francis J. Bartley (1889-1957) and Margaret Z. Read (1890-1935). Peg, as she was called, married Patrick J. Riley on February 5, 1947. They had one child, Dennis Patrick on March 3, 1948.
Andrew McNaught was born on this date. Andrew is the son of Tammie Daley and Peter McNaught. His Riley connection is on his maternal side. Andrew’s grandmother is Joan (Riley) Daley, daughter of Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985). A nice touch on Andrew’s Daley side, is that his great grandmother, Delia Bridget Calahan, was born in Ireland.
19 Pond Street 