Man of Avon: Richard B. Riley Sr. ’50

Richard B. Riley Sr., 87, of Waldoboro, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children on Nov. 9, 2018 in Newcastle.

Richard was born on March 5, 1931. He was the son of Alvin S. Riley and Florence (Bowman) Riley in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Avon Old Farms in 1950 in Avon, Connecticut. He obtained both of his degrees from Columbia University in New York City, a BS in psychology and a master’s in guidance counseling from the Teachers College.

He met his future wife Jane Sheldon McKelvy in a religion class at Columbia. They married in 1959 at the Episcopal Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. At that time, Richard bought six acres and a tumble down house on Bremen Long Island, where the family summered. They moved to Maine permanently in 1963. They moved to Hallowell where he worked at Hodgkins Junior High School, and later at the Gilbert School in Augusta. After retiring in 1986, he volunteered for over 30 years at the Gilbert School. Richard and his wife Jane were founding members of Community Concerts and Forum A in Augusta.

Richard enjoyed his time on the Island with family and friends. He had lunch several times a week at the Narrows Tavern in Waldoboro, where he was a regular, enjoying his IPA. He will be missed by many whose lives he touched.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Newcastle at 2 p.m., with the Reverend John Ineson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, volunteer somewhere in memory of Richard.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall’s of Waldoboro, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro, ME 04572. Condolences may be shared at www.hallfuneralhomes.com