John Leon Riley
SARATOGA SPRINGS — John Leon Riley, 87, died suddenly at home on January 30, 2021. He was born October 11, 1933 in Watkins Glen, NY, to the late Myron and Ruth Everingham Riley. He graduated from Watkins Glen High School, and from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.
After graduating from Cornell, he had a long career in architecture, becoming a partner in the firm Russell, Gibson, vonDohlen located in West Hartford, CT, designing many schools, churches, and office buildings. He pursued his lifelong interest in music by serving first on the board of The Hartford Symphony Orchestra and later the board of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. He was a loyal alumnus of Cornell, serving on the Cornell University Council and the Advisory Committee for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Planning.
Wherever he went, he was well-respected and well-liked. He had a love of the great outdoors, from boating as a child on Seneca Lake to sailing on Sebago Lake in Maine. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking, and skiing. He built his own Adirondack guide boat after moving to Saratoga Springs.
He is survived by his wife, Almeda (A.C.) (Church Dake) Riley; his children, Alison Riley-Clark (Tom – deceased), Kagan Wolfe, and Susan Shelby (Evan); their children Emily, Stephen, and Brenden Clark and Dylan Shelby; stepchildren Laura Dake Roche (John), Gary Dake (Aimee), Glen Dake, and Renee Dake Wilson (Brian); their children Morgan, Will, and Carolyn Roche, Charlie (Brigid) and Zak (Desiree) Dake, and Silas, Collette, and Vaughn Wilson; and great grandchildren Eve and Lily Dake.
Along with his parents, he was pre-deceased by his first wife, Carolyn Dudley Riley and son David Riley.
Due to Covid, services will be at the convenience of the family at a later time. Memorial gifts may be made to The Wesley Foundation, 131 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com