Obituary of John Riley

John J. Riley, resident of Lockport and long-time Senior Engineer in the Large Motor Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, died Monday at Niagara Hospice. He was 84. Born in Detroit to Harold and Mary Ann Miketich Riley, he served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged at the rank of Seaman Second Class in 1946. He graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Buffalo in 1951. He held many patents in the electric motor field as a result of his long service at Westinghouse. He was a lifetime union member and served as President of the National Westinghouse Engineers Association. He was long an active parishioner at St. Mary's and then at All Saints' Parish, serving as usher and lector. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He served one term as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council 319, and as Treasurer for forty years. Mr. Riley was famed in his youth as a table tennis champion and was an avid outdoors man, fisherman, and hunter throughout his life. He also enjoyed bridge, tennis, and running, winning age-group awards in many road races. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Ellen and brother Richard, and last October by his wife of 60 years, the former Patricia Stoll. He is survived by six children, Mary Margaret Merrill; Kathleen Riley, Ph.D.; the Rev. John P. Riley, CSC; Thomas M. Riley (Mary); Daniel J. Riley, M.D.; and Matthew K. Riley; by eight grandchildren, Michelle Smedley and Capt. Gregory Smedley, US Army (Rhiannon); Brent and Katherine Merrill; Emily, Thomas J., Teresa, and Benjamin Riley; and by three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Curtis, and Isaac Smedley. Relatives and friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Prudden &amp; Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport, where prayers will be offered Friday at 11:30 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in All Saints' Parish, 76 Church St., Lockport. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Donations to the parish's building fund would be welcomed by the family. Visit www.pruddenandkandt.com. <h3>Visitation</h3> Relatives and friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport, where prayers will be offered Friday at 11:30 AM. <h3>Services</h3> A Mass of Christian Burial at noon on Friday in All Saints Parish, 76 Church St., Lockport. <h3>Interment</h3> Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery.