Thomas F. Riley

March 10, 1921 - August 13, 2012

GENEVA - Thomas F. Riley 91 of Carter Rd. passed away in his home on Monday, August 13, 2012. Friends may call at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home 181 N. Main St., on Friday, August 17, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. Members of Geneva Council # 272 Knights of Columbus will meet at the funeral home at 7 p.m. for a service for their departed member. Funeral Services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2012 in the funeral home and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis de Sales Church. Entombment with full Military honors will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish. Tom was born on March 10, 1921 in Russell, Iowa to Pearle and Margaret Van Nuys Riley. He served his country for over twenty-two years in the US Navy during both World War 11 and the Korean War. He served on the USS WASP that was sunk during the battle of Guadalcanal. He was then stationed as a swimming instructor at the Sampson Naval Base and while there in order to get a pass he swam across Seneca Lake and he came to Geneva and met his wife of Sixty-eight years Theresa Sarratori who predeceased him. Following his retirement from the Navy he worked as the Seneca Army Depot where he was Chief of Security. He was a member of Stinger Association which was the surviving members of the USS WASP, Third Degree member of Geneva Council # 272 Knights of Columbus, and Our Lady of Peace Parish. Tom loved to build furniture and was an excellent cabinet maker and loved to carve wildlife. He is survived by his children: Thomas P. (Carolyn) of Panama City, Fl, Dale (Edna) of Geneva, Patrick (Barbara) of Geneva, and Michael of Phelps; Colleen of Geneva and Mary (David) FitzGerald of Geneva; Sixteen grandchildren, Seventeen great grandchildren his brother: Carl Riley of Chariton, Iowa and Several Nieces and Nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years Theresa, brothers Gail and Dale and sisters: Margaret Helen and Nellie.