WESTFIELD – Richard James Riley, 78, of Westfield, Massachusetts passed away at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield on Monday, October 5, 2026 surrounded by the comfort of his family. Rick found joy in life's simple pleasures: a cup of coffee, a good conversation, the morning newspaper, and time spent with family or talking with neighbors while doing yardwork. Most mornings, you could find him down at the corner store, enjoying his coffee and “gabbing” with his buddies, catching up on the news and then back at home working his way through the daily crossword puzzle. He loved staying busy and tinkering, whether with woodworking, computers, fixing things, or figuring out how they worked. He enjoyed bowling, weekend trips to Maine with his wife Cathy, and long motorcycle rides well into his 70s. As an avid reader with a curious mind, Rick was rarely without a book in hand, often a Tom Clancy novel. But above all else, his greatest joy was his family. He was especially proud of his granddaughters and took great pride in cheering them on at sporting events, sharing his knowledge, and celebrating their many accomplishments. The past couple years he really enjoyed supporting Cathy as she took up a new hobby and learned to row. Rick served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked for many years as a machinist at the former Digital Equipment Corporation in Westfield and later had very fond memories working as a Computer-Aided Drafter at OMG in Agawam, retiring in 2015. He earned an Associates Degree in Computer-Aided Drafting from Springfield Technical Community College. Rick will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Cathy; his daughter and son-in-law Melissa and Sergio Alvarado and granddaughters Megan and Emily; his son Shawn Riley; his siblings Judi Ringenbach of Chicopee, Joe Riley of Sturbridge and Mary Ellen Riley of Eugene, Oregon; as well as many nephews, nieces, extended family members, friends and neighbors who were fortunate to know and love him. Rick was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on Tuesday, October 7, 1947 and spent most of his childhood in Chicopee. He was predeceased by his parents Michael (1965) and Florence Riley (2012); his brother, Mike Riley of Eugene, OR; his sister, Cathy Laflamme of Chicopee; his best friend and brother-in-law, Adrian “Skip” Ringenbach; and his sister-in-law, Janet Riley. His Burial Service with United States Navy Military Honors will be private for the family at Sainte Rose Cemetery in Chicopee. There are no visiting hours. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holyoke Rows, 25 Jones Ferry Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
