NORWICH – Joseph L. Riley, age 77, formerly of Norwich and New Jersey, passed away on April 4, 2008, at A. O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta following complications from a heart attack which stemmed from injuries received from a fall on the ice.
He was born on December 15, 1930, the son of the late William G. Riley and Teany (Prager) Riley. He was the husband of the late Irene M. Riley, who passed away on September 11, 1989. He is survived by his brother Richard, of East Pharsalia, two stepsons, Raymond Shedd, of Lakeland, Florida, his grandchildren, Timothy and Alida, great grandchildren Katelyn and Chanel; step-son, Tommy Shedd and his wife, Donna of Middletown, Maryland, his grandchildren, Brian, Gregory, Caroline and Michelle, and several nieces, nephews as well as his sister-in-laws, Ruth Tucky and Alice Geldmacher. Joe was predeceased by his brothers, William and Howard Riley and a sister, Dorothy. Joe and Irene spent many winters in Florida at the home of his step-son, Raymond. After his wife died, Joe spent many holidays with Tom and Donna and his grandchildren.
Joe was famous for his annual 4th of July barbecues, as that was the time of year that his step-sons and their families, and friends would spend a week or two just lounging around over good food, swimming, fishing and telling stories about the big fish that got away.
Joe was a Korean War Veteran, being involved with three major offensive campaigns during that war. He received the Korean Service Medal, three Bronze Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. A story he often told was how a pack of cigarettes once saved his life. While reaching for cigarettes in his right pocket, a bullet struck his left wrist, then deflected off the gun stock and traveled to the top of his left shoulder, missing his heart.
Joe became a skilled carpenter as a teenager. After his discharge from the military, Joe along with his brother, Richard built homes in New Jersey. He worked with the Local 15 Carpenters’ Union in Hackensack, New Jersey and also with Local19 Carpenters’ union. From 1971– 1986 at Wade Construction, Joe worked with Pochy, Donald Jensen and Mike Stensland and also worked at Garbade Construction. Joe contributed his talents to many sites in the Norwich area including Howard Johnson’s, Proctor and Gamble, Sheffields, Wal-Mart, SUNY Oneonta and the Norwich Courthouse.
Joe took great pride in his carpentry skills, constructing extraordinary cabinets, additions to homes and building his lake house. Known for his generosity, neighbors said that whenever Joe heard someone sawing a piece of wood or hammering a nail, he would show up a few minutes later, toolbox in hand to see how he could help.
Rain, sleet, or snow could not stop Joe from trout fishing in the streams of Chenango County. Watch out when the salmon were running at Salmon River, as Joe could be seen running up the stream right after them. Joe was also well known for his bass fishing. He spent many hours teaching his grandchildren how to fish in the local streams and lakes. Joe had many quotes about fishing which had to do with moon phases and wind direction such as “wind from the west – fish bite the best, wind from the east – fish bite the least.” Another past time was deer hunting with his brother, Dick on his property. He was also an avid gardener and took great pride in his flowers; he especially loved his Oriental and Asiatic lilies, the iris that reminded him of orchids, the clematis vines, and a vegetable patch. He often spoke of the many containers of string beans, swiss chard or blueberries he froze. He always had to make sure he had enough blueberries on hand so he could make his grandchildren blueberry pancakes. His real pride and joy was raising burpless cucumbers. Joe’s quiet times were spent reading and telling stories to his grandchildren on the phone or in person, singing older musical hits, putting puzzles together, building and playing with his train set.
He will additionally be remembered by many close friends, work buddies and neighbors around the lake, especially Donald Jensen and Judy and Tony Gracin. He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Joe contributed to dozens of charitable organizations monthly, therefore, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity or your choice or plant a tree, bush or flowers in Joe’s memory.
Funeral services for Joe will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at the Wilson Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Oxford. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.