Donald M. Riley

DONALD M. RILEY passed away at home on January 15, 2014 in Petaluma. Beloved husband of Sarah Tarr Fleming of Petaluma. Cherished father of Jennifer Ekelund of Half Moon Bay; Andrew Riley (Angela) of Petaluma; Joseph Riley of Seattle; James Riley (Shannon) of New Orleans; and Maeve Riley of Santa Barbara. Loving brother of Denis Riley (Lynn) of Merritt Island, FL; Bruce Riley (Michele) of Garberville; Brian Riley (Claudia), Mary McPherson (Doug) all of Fredonia, NY; Monica Riley (Jack) of Seaside, CA; Thomas Riley (Mary) of Alameda; and Brendan Riley (Susana) of San Diego. Adoring grandfather of Eric, Emma, and Evan Riley of Petaluma. Survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Age: 69 years. Don's first love was his family. He took his children (and nieces and nephews) on adventures: hiking, hunting, fishing, bowling, to the beach, always in love with the beauty of nature. He was a storyteller with a wicked sense of humor who, in his later years, wrote beautiful stories and poetry [oreillydon.wordpress.com]. He also had a great love for Italy, where he and Sarah lived for several years, teaching and traveling and telling even more stories. He will be sorely missed and not easily forgotten. Don's family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Kaiser in Petaluma and San Rafael for their extraordinary kindness and expertise in supporting him during his illness. Friends and family are invited to attend the Funeral Liturgy, Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Committee on the Shelterless (COTS), PO Box 2744, Petaluma, CA 94953 or Hanna House at St. Vincent's School for Boys, 1 St. Vincents Dr., San Rafael, CA 94903; Attn Gloria. Private burial: Calvary Cemetery, Petaluma.