Gerald Albert Riley was born
August 12, 1922
in
St. Paul
,
MN
, son of George Riley and Leah Peltehier. He lived and went to school in
South St. Paul
prior to marrying Rose Carol Peters of
St. Paul
Park
on
January 10, 1941
. They celebrated their 68
th
wedding anniversary in January, 2009. Life-long friends and neighbors of Don and Marge (Peters) Waldbillig and family.
He served in the US Army during WWII with the 334
th
Regiment, 84
th
Infantry, Company A, where he participated in several major battles, including the “
Battle
of the Bulge”.
He retired from 3M in 1985 where he worked as a Marketing Analyst. He was active in the VFW, serving as Post Commander and the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight. He was also a life-long avid golfer, bowler, and pool player of some local renown.
He is the beloved husband of Carol; loving father of Patrick (Beverly Fiedler), Maureen Vitali (Ron), and Christine Shaver (Allen); grandfather of Patrick (Deana), Michael, Sarah Zirnhelt (Anthony), James (Laura), Michael Vitali (Renee), Lauri Vitali (Dee Bernard), Denny Vitali (Nickie), Dustin Shaver (Tiffany), Brian Shaver (Nicole), Joseph Shaver (Karen); great-grandchildren Jacob, Nicholas, Alexander, Michael, Camille, Maggie, Joe, Jane, Samantha, Olivia, Tabitha, Tyler, Maclain, Quinn, Samantha, Joshua, and Isabella Rose.
Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM
Friday 3/27/09
at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church,
920 Holley Ave.
,
St. Paul
Park. Interment at church cemetery. Visitation
4-7 PM
Thursday at Kok Funeral Home,
1201 Portland Ave.
,
St. Paul
Park (651-459-2875).
