Joseph Alan Riley passed peacefully away Oct 20, 2016.
He was born Aug 3, 1951 to Gerald and Zita Riley of Cornwall, VT. He graduated Middlebury Union High School in 1969.
He then joined the service to “see the world” and spent all 4 years at Kincheloe Air Force Base in Kinross, MI from 1970-1974. He married Thelma (Vert) Riley Jun 23, 1973 at the First Church of Christ in Sault Sainte Marie, MI. Moved back to Vermont May of 1974 when Honorably Discharged from the Air Force. In 1989, moved back to Michigan and considered himself a “Yooper”.
Joe is survived by his wife Thelma Riley, two daughters Brandi Jo (Chris) Ogston and Missy (John) McDonald and 4 beautiful grandchildren, Marissa & Christopher Ogston and Ethan & Myah McDonald. All of whom he loved and cherished and enjoyed spending time with as much as possible.
He is also survived by his mother Zita Riley (96 years) his brothers Leighton (Linda) Riley of Bridgeport, VT, Bill (Claudia) Riley of Ripton, VT, and Loyal Riley of Middlebury, VT. Mother in law and father in law Ralph & Wilma Vert of Sault Ste Marie. Sisters in law, Kim Dunn, Carla Hurlburt, Cindy LaCrosse, Marci Kravis, brother in law Marty Vert all of the Soo, brothers in law, Mark Vert of Sault, Ont, Ralph Vert Jr, of White Lake, MI and sister in law, Nancy Cupp of Sarasota, FL. Many nieces and nephews, cousins and great friends too numerous to name.
He was proceeded in death by his father Gerald Riley, brother Tim Riley an dsister Gail Riley all of Vermont. Brothers in law, Milo Vert and Joe Dunn of the Sault.
H eloved gardening starting his own plants, he liked to deer hunt. He loved spending time with his friends in his “man cave” in the garage watching his team the NY Giants, but loved watching NASCAR most of all and was devastated when his favorite driver Dale Earnhardt Sr was killed, he followed Dale Jr from then on.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Fri, Oct 28, 2016 at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home with Pastor Don Bishop officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 pm until the time of service.