Catherine Marie Fleury, daughter of Nancy [Fleury] Orlando and Anthony F. Orlando was born on this day in Providence, Rhode Island. ‘Cat” is the granddaughter of the late Barbara [Riley] Fleury (1927-2015) and the late Richard ‘Dick’ Fleury (1928-1992).
Cat grew up in Bristol, graduated from the University of Rhode Island and has recently been pursuing graduate studies.
Happy Birthday, Cat!
Timothy M. Fleury, son of Richard (Rick) and Darleen [Fisher] Fleury, was born on this date in Providence, and grew up in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Grandson of the late Richard B. Fleury (1928-1992) and the late Barbara [Riley] Fleury (1927-2015), Tim is married to Karen [Serpa] Fleury and the couple have been blessed with two boys.
*see blog post June 29, 2020
Andrew McNaught, son of Tammie [Daley] McNaught and Peter McNaught, was born on this date. A grandson of the late Joan [Riley] Daley (1929-2019) and Frederick ‘Nick’ Daley (1927-1991), Andrew has earned degrees from the University of Rhode Island and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Presently, Andrew holds a very important position with National Grid. When a storm rolls in and the power goes out, Andrew jumps into action directing the electricity restoration crews. Be nice to Andrew, he determines when your coffee maker comes to life.
Jacob Richard Ferreira is celebrating his birthday today. Jacob is the son of Staci Fleury and Michael Ferreira. Jacob’s grandparents (on the Riley side) are Darleen and Richard (Rick) Fleury. Sure is nice to have a birthday in June – sunny skies and the end of school just around the corner.
Jacob’s mom tells me that he is really into karate and has recently earned his yellow belt. Congratulations, Jacob!
When I asked Jacob’s Mom for a couple of pictures of him, she told me that almost all from the past year showed Jacob in his face mask. I imagine that’s the case for most parents – just another legacy from 2020. Here though is one of Jacob and his brother Zachary that shows the boys mask-less.
Happy Birthday, Jacob! Keep on working toward that orange belt.
*see blog post June 10, 2020; May 10, 2020
It is with tongue in cheek that we recognize Sean Fleury‘s* birthday today. The son of Karen Ann Matteson and Timothy Patrick Fleury, and the grandson the late Richard B. Fleury (1928-1992) and the late Barbara Hope Riley (1927-2015), he has had to overcome a lot, and finally he’s making some progress.
It’s been a tough-row-to-hoe since his glory days in high school. Sean had to overcome the stigma of being accepted into one of the best engineering schools, and then finding himself thriving in that rarified academic atmosphere. What a burden! Then there was the added “inconvenience” of being a BMOC and playing NCAA Division I soccer during his four years in college. To live those campus days must have called upon all of Sean’s internal strength!
Sean’s post collegiate career has been filled with one hurdle after another. Imagine having to work along side some of the most accomplished engineers and scientists at a world class company like Boston Scientific. The poor kid just couldn’t get a break. Before he knew it, he was off to Minneapolis finding himself in the center of “Midwestern Nice.” How dare this company transfer Sean to a land of smiles, courtesy and good beer. How would he survive this constant flow of adversity? As Ms Gaynor sang: “Only the strong survive,” and Sean certainly did, he kept pushing through the limits of his trials and tribulations.
But the pressures of the world kept closing in upon him. Out of the blue, Sean found himself faced with something few men can handle – a wonderful woman who more than met his match. She was Intelligent, personable, and athletic – Mollie Knake.
Sean didn’t have a chance, but his luck sure changed.
Just when All American Minneapolis was about to come unglued, the newly married couple were transferred to Costa Rica, where the winter doesn’t exist and the sun shines continuously. What a way to “quarantine” yourself.
This is not Sean’s normal Costa Rican attire
We wish the birthday boy welI, and may he continue to thank Mollie for his new found blessings.
Theodore Francis Murzycki, oldest son of Elizabeth Mulligan and Nicholas Murzycki was born on this day in Worcester, MA. His maternal grandparents are Gail (Benoit) Mulligan and Kevin Francis Xavier Mulligan. Teddy shares the same birthday as his cousin Susan Moore (see today’s earlier post), and both are blessed with those great Mulligan genes inherited from the late Margaret Ernestine Riley (1910-1989) and the late Walter Frances Xavier Mulligan (1906-1957).
Teddy had quite a week leading up to today’s birthday. The word is out that Teddy has himself a brand new big-boy bed courtesy of Mom and Dad and Grandma Gail and Grandpa Kevin. At the end of the week, Teddy and brother Ben, spent a great day at the Mystic Aquarium getting to know all the inhabitants. I heard the beluga whales were especially happy to see Teddy and his brother.
Happy Birthday, Teddy! I’m sure you are going to sleep well tonight in your new bed.
Susan Marie Moore ,daughter of the late Judith A. Mulligan (1938-1962) and David Moore, has a birthday today. Susan’s grandmother was the late Margaret Ernestine Riley (1910-1989) and her grandfather was the late Walter Frances Xavier Mulligan (1906-1957).
After a career as a special education teacher and administrator, Susan is now a real estate agent in South County, Rhode Island with Coldwell Banker Coastal Homes.
With a personal mantra of always being engaged in her surroundings and community, Susan is involved with and has volunteered her time with the Rhode Island Special Olympics, dog adoption programs and pet assisted therapy programs. Susan even has one of the cutest dogs around…aptly named, “Riley.”
Patrick Reilly and Rose Kearnan departed the passenger ship Neptune and stepped out onto America’s New York City. Patrick was 23 and Rose(a) was 17 years of age.
Patrick’s father’s name was Michael and Catherine was his mother. Rose’s parents were named Patrick Kiernan and Rose (McHugh) Kiernan,
The Neptune left out of Liverpool, England sometime around the middle of May,1862 and sailed directly into New York harbor. Back in 1862, depending upon the type of vessel and weather, the Atlantic crossing could have lasted up to fourteen days.
Passengers departed the ship according to the class of their tickets. The holders of the First Class tickets disembarked first, Second Class next, and finally the people in steerage who were the last to leave the ship. An examination of the manifest shows Patrick and Rose were listed on the last page. At the time of their crossing, the cost of the cheapest ticket would have been around the equivalent of $39.
Here is a photo copy of the last page Neptune’s passenger manifest. You can just make out numbers 4 and 5 – Pat Reilly and Rose Kearnan (sp).
Nancy Fleury Orlando has a Birthday today.*
As Nancy enjoys today’s beautiful birthday weather, it is almost an exact replica of the day she was born. Back then, in a year not to be mentioned, the high temperature was 64 and the skies were sunny and cloudless. Probably songs by Connie Francis and The Everly Brothers were playing on the car radio when her dad, Richard “Dick” Fleury (1928-1992) was rushing to the hospital. Now, at the same time, Nancy’s mom, Barbara Riley Fleury (1927-2015), couldn’t have cared less about who was singing or what they were singing about – Barbara had other things on her mind. Back home in Pawtucket, the newborn Nancy had three siblings, Cindy, Rick and Tim, who were most likely plotting to keep their perceived “most important status” preeminent in the family hierarchy. Wonder how that worked out for them?
Happy Birthday, Nance! There’s no drive to Boston today, so enjoy the day and time with Tony, son Nick and daughter Catherine.
Patrick J. Riley was born on this day in Pawtucket in 1900.
Patsy, as his sisters called him, would have been 121 today. A second generation American, PJ witnessed many changes. As a young man, he experienced the common sight of horse and buggies on the streets of Pawtucket. Later he saw man walk on the moon. Patsy 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 and a son. 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.
Maryanne (Daley) Ricci, was born on this day in Providence to the late Joan L. (Riley) Daley (1929-2019) and the late Frederick A. Daley (1927-1991). Granddaughter of Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985) and Margaret Cecelia McSally (1900-1938), Maryanne grew up in the St.Teresa’s neighborhood, went to the parish school and graduated from Tolman High School.
Of course, being a Daley kid, young Maryanne helped with the family’s newspaper distribution monopoly. Early in her adolescent years, Maryanne began to develop her creative spirit excelling in drawing, design and fashion.
Maryanne married the love of her life, another Pawtucketite, Bob Ricci (see blog post entry May 4th) and they soon found themselves out on the West Coast. Maryanne and Bob have two outstanding kids, Robert Andrew and Caroline.
Happy Birthday, Maryanne! I know the Beach Boys were always singing about you.
Zachary Ferreira, was born on this day in Providence to Staci Fleury and Michael Ferreira. Zachary’s grandparents (on the Riley side) are Darleen and Richard (Rick) Fleury. His late great grandparents, Barbara (Riley) Fleury and Richard “Dick” Fleury would have been very proud of Zachary, who received his First Communion back in September.
Here is a photo from that day:
Just look at this young dude. Is he sharp or what? In this pic Zachary may have just received his First Communion, but he sure looks like he just closed his first real estate deal.
Here is his most recent photo:
Zachary’s interests are track, tennis and from what I’ve heard, the young man never misses an opportunity to demonstrate his love and caring for animals.
As I posted in his brother Jacob’s birthday post last June: 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. Zachary, his brother Jacob, and their 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:
Patrick Riley & Rosa Kiernan born in Ireland in the 1840’s and left for US in early spring 1862
1st gen – Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) – arrived in US 1862
2nd gen – Patrick Joseph Riley (1900-1985) – born in Pawtucket
3rd gen – Barbara Hope Riley Fleury (1927-2015) – b. Pawtucket
4th gen – Richard B. Fleury, Jr – b. Providence; brought up in Pawtucket
5th gen – Staci Fleury Ferreira – b. Providence; grew up in Bristol
6th gen – Jacob Richard Ferreira – b. Providence; growing up in North Kingstown
Bet Patrick and Rosa would probably say those fourteen days spent in Neptune’s steerage was well with it.
Happy Birthday, Zachary! Keep on sprinting through the finish line.
Robert A. Ricci, husband of Maryanne Daley and son-in-law of the late Joan (Riley) Daley (1929-2019) and the late Frederick ‘Nick” Daley (1927-1991) was born on this day.
Bob grew up on the Pawtucket/North Providence line and developed into a very good athlete, becoming one of Rhode Island’s better goalies. In fact, Bob went on to play goal at Elmira College and graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
My father, Patrick J. Riley (1900-1985) always enjoyed Bob. Whether it was the conversations they had or Bob’s mannerisms. Bob seemed to always put a smile on my father’s face. I remember Bob always ended his conversations with my father by saying, “See ya later, gramps,” and this took place even before Maryanne and Bob were engaged. Just a nice reflection on Bob’s personality.
Bob and Maryanne were married in Pawtucket back in the late 1980’s and have two adult children, Robert Andrew and Caroline.
Here is Bob as of a few weeks ago:
Bob still laces up the skates and hopes for call-up to the National Hockey League. Here he is in goal.
Happy Birthday, Bob. Keep skating and living the good life out west.
Frederick Albert Daley, “Nick,” was born on May 4, 1927 in Central Falls to the late Delia Bridget Calahan Daley (b. 1882 in Ireland – 1964) and the late John Thomas Daley (1882 – 1968).
According to The Pawtucket Evening Times (2 cents per copy), the temperature was beginning to warm, but the following days were to bring scattered showers to the area. The national news story of the day was that major flooding had occurred from Minnesota all the way down to New Orleans. The Blackstone Valley Red Cross was putting together a major fundraising drive to help with the recovery efforts. Another big story was the divorce proceedings Charlie Chaplin was embroiled in with his soon to be ex-wife. Seems Mrs. Chaplin wanted to have to court release the names of the five actresses Good Time Charlie was “associating with.” The famous comedian was ordered to temporarily pay alimony at $1,500 per month. In sports news of the day, although it was early in the baseball season, the Red Sox were already in last place. Down at the Leroy Theatre, there was a Hoot Gibson movie playing entitled: “The Denver Dude.”
By 1930 Nick’s family had moved into Pawtucket to Grand Avenue, just a few short blocks from the home of his future spouse, Joan Riley. An interesting tidbit from that 1930 census shows that his mother, born in the Ireland, also 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 to quench a terrible thirst and play some cards. Nick’s dad was known as the “Fox” because he was a bit of a wiz with the cards. What he’d do was have a half a glass of what looked like whiskey sitting beside him on the card table. In reality, it was tea. He would never drink from it, but it gave the impression that he was indulging, while observing the clouded mistakes of the other players. Ah, the wonders of Pawtucket!
Nick’s 1945 draft card states he 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 and 1 new great grandchild.
Unfortunately, Nick passed away in November of 1991, when was he was 64 years old.
A Happy, Happy Birthday to Katherine “Kate” Agnes Riley, who is the daughter of Joan Burggraf Riley and Stephen Francis Riley.
The day Kate was born was very pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a high temperature of 67 degrees. If you had the radio on in your car or at home, you couldn’t escape hearing Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Back then, when people actually listened to news broadcasts, the lead story would have been about the approaching war between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. At the time, big screen TV’s were considered huge at 19 inches, and On Golden Pond, Chariots of Fire, and Porky’s were the big movies of the day.
Happy Birthday, Kate! Have a good time and enjoy all the well wishes.
19 Pond Street 