John "Jack" Leo Riley

John “Jack” Leo Riley, 76, of Mansfield, formerly of New Britain, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2022 at Hartford Hospital. He is now reunited with his loving wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” (Levesque) Riley, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage.

Jack was born on May 2, 1945 son to the late Leo and Naomi (Jones) Riley. He married his best friend, Jackie, and together they shared many life adventures, full of love, laughter, and good times. They enjoyed cruising to favorable destinations and camping the summers at Wolf's Den in East Haddam, building lovely friendships and relationships with everyone they met along the way. On the weekends, Jack loved to entertain, setting up karaoke for friends to all gather and sing along. He loved singing so much and continued to sing until his last day on earth. He was formerly employed at Goss + Deleeuw in Berlin where he gave many years of dedication and hard work as a gear shaper and overhead crane operator. As a young child and into adulthood, Jack played sports including basketball and baseball and also loved to play horseshoes, perfecting his ringers, which he did so well over the years. He loved to discuss sports and movies with anyone who would lend an ear to listen. He often reminisced with his daughter about his school days; conversations she will always remember. He was so proud of his grandson, Benjamin; watching his soccer games, shooting hoops, earning his black belt in Taekwondo and most recently learning the drums. In his downtime he enjoyed watching movies and he was always up for discussing movies with others. A sweet, kind man, who loved to laugh and have a good time, Jack will forever be remembered and will be deeply missed by all who were grateful to have known him, as he was truly grateful for his friends and family.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Tammy Riley-Nguyen and her husband, Huy; his grandson, Benjamin Nguyen; his brother-in-law’s, sister-in-law’s and their spouses, Marie and Larry Ouellette, Bernie and Monique Levesque, Patricia and Ray Pelletier, Romeo and Jeanine Levesque, Paul and Donna Levesque, Roger Levesque and Lisa and Rick Negro; and many nieces, nephews. In addition to his wife and his parents, he was predeceased by his step-father, Fred Pierce; his brother, Donald Jones; and his special friend, Janice Bunce.

A special thank you to the entire Bliss 11 ICU department at Hartford Hospital. The compassion, professionalism, knowledge and patience they displayed is so deeply appreciated.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Thursday, April 28 from 5 to 7 PM at the Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad Street, Plainville. A service in celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Friday, April 29 at 12:30 PM at the funeral home. All are welcome to gather at the funeral home at 12 PM prior to the service beginning. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Plainville. Donations in memory of Jack can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 101 Centerpoint Dr., Suite 107, Middletown, CT 06457.

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