Obituary of Francis Xavier Riley

Captain Francis X. Riley, USCG, RET, age 89, of Sterling, VA died of Leukemia on January 29, 2009 at Falcons Landing retirement community. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 17, 1919 and graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1942. Captain Riley served during World War II as commanding officer of USS LCI (L)-319 and participated in the North African occupation, Sicilian occupation, Salerno Landings and the D-Day invasion of Normandy on Utah Beach. Captain Riley received the Bronze Star with a "V" for valor under fire for securing two ammunition barges adrift in a minefield during the invasion. He earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from American University and had a distinguished 30 year career in the Coast Guard with assignments as commanding officer of various search and rescue ships and high level positions at Coast Guard Headquarters. Captain Riley's last assignment was as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Base, New York (Governor's Island). He received the Meritorious Service Award for his service on the staff of the Secretary of Transportation. He was active in a number of Catholic parishes in Northern Virginia and served as head usher. With his wife, Rosemary, he traveled throughout the world visiting six continents. He will be remembered for his love of country, church, and family. Francis was the beloved husband of 66 years of Rosemary Teresa Riley, loving and devoted father of Francis (Janet), Rosemarie, Patricia (Paul), Michael (Ellen) and Margaret (Dan), proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Wednesday, May 27 th at 10:45am at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, with graveside services with full military honors to immediately follow at Arlington National Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside services at Falcons Landing retirement community, Sterling, VA. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, 924 G Street, NW, Washington DC 20001 ( www.catholicchartiesdc.org ) or Leukemia Society of America, Inc., National Capital Area Chapter, 2900 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. Arrangements by Adams-Green Funeral Home, Herndon, VA.