Thomas E. Riley, 80, of Brookvale in Dunbar Township, died on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Cherry Tree Nursing Center in Uniontown. A lifelong resident of Brookvale, Tom was born on December 28, 1938, a son of the late John and Helen (Vozar) Riley. Tom graduated with the class of 1957 from Dunbar Township High School.
He spent the majority of his working life at the Anchor Hocking Cap Plant (now Crown Cork and Seal), beginning in the tele-control department and working his way up to supervisor. He was a dedicated employee with a very strong work ethic who always tried his hardest to be fair with his co-workers. Tom retired in 2001, after 36 years of service.
He then drove a van for Konetsco for several years. Tom belonged to St. John the Evangelist Church in Connellsville his entire life, having faithfully served there as an altar boy during his youth, and later as an usher. He also volunteered as a festival co-chairman for a few years.
He was a member of the Slovak Club, and also of the Knights of Columbus, Council 948, where he attained the rank of Third Degree Knight. Tom enjoyed golfing, building things, walking on the bike trail, classic cars, baseball, and Notre Dame football, but above all, he was a great family man. He loved spending time with his family, from holidays spent with the Herchkos as a child, to traveling with his wife and daughters on many family vacations, and most recently, sharing in the joys provided by his two grandchildren.
He truly was a good and decent man, faithful and loyal to his church, his family, and his friends. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. Go Irish!
In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by a sister during her childhood, Mary Catherine “Cassie” Riley. Tom is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda (Miller) Riley; daughter Erin (Brian) Knizner of Connellsville; daughter Amanda Riley and husband Carl Shusko of Fairchance; and grandchildren Riley and Connor Knizner. Friends will be received from 1-3 p.m. and from 5-8 p.m. Sunday in the Paul G. Fink Funeral Home, 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, 724-628-1872.
Additional visitation will be held on Monday from 8am until 9:30am, when Prayers of Transfer will be held. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, with Fr. Robert Lubic and Fr.
Daniel Ulishney as concelebrants. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations in memory of Thomas Riley may be directed to: Conn-Area Catholic School, 613 E. Crawford Ave. , Connellsville, PA 15425, or to St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, 116 S. Second St., Connellsville, PA 15425.
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