Mark Cullinan Riley, 74, born May 4, 1933 in Massachusetts, a resident of Elberta for the past 11 years, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley after a battle with lung disease.
He was the second son of John J. and Jeanette McManus Riley.
He attended schools in Lynn, Mass., and graduated from Providence College in 1956. Mark also graduated from Naval Officer's Candidate School in 1956. He served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1979, earning the rank of Commander. While in the Navy, Mark and Barbara lived in San Diego, Calif., Newport, R.I., Charleston, S.C., Trinidad, West Indies, Peabody, Mass., the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Ill., Omaha, Neb. and New Orleans, LA. After retiring from the Navy, Mark taught school at Edna Karr Magnet School in New Orleans, LA.
He was a fan of football, baseball and basketfball, avidly following the fortunes of his favorite Newf England teams. His dry wit and lively sense of humor was well-known. He was a member of Kiwanis and was a liaison with the Foley High School Key Club for a number of years. He was named Kiwanian of the year in 1999 and was recognized with the Hoyt Lee award as an outstanding Kiwanian for 1998-1999 and 2002-2003.
Survivors include his wife of over 51 years, Barbara Agnes Hersey; three children, Donna Riley-Lein of Elberta, Deborah (Frederick) Frederickson of New Orleans, and Mark C. (Kristy) Riley of Ft. Meade, Md.; eight grandchildren, Jessica, Erica, Eric, Megan, Morgan, Jackson, Katie and Grace. Mark's siblings are John J. (Tommy) Riley Jr. of Callahassie Island, S.C., and Daniel Arthur (Liz) Riley of Wilton, Conn.; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a memorial Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Elberta, with Father Howard Moussier officiating.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Lung Association, or the Kiwanis Kid's Fund, P.O. Box 576, Foley, AL, 36536.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Foley.
