PAUL LLOYD RILEY

BANGOR – Paul Lloyd Riley died peacefully Aug. 19, 2006, surrounded by his loving and devoted family, after a brief illness. He was born April 14, 1912, in Stoughton, Mass., the day the Titanic sank. He was the son of Ellen (Hawes) Riley and Andrew Riley, the third of six children. Paul graduated from Stoughton High School and continued his post-secondary education at Franklin Union, where he earned a degree in industrial electricity. He then continued at Harvard University, specializing in higher mathematics and business management and then graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in electrical engineering. He joined the Air Force just prior to World War II and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was the second officer to come to Dow Field April 4, 1941. He worked as the purchasing and contracting officer, responsible for the original contracts at the air base, including the leases, railroad agreements and water and electrical contracts. Paul was promoted to oversee the dispatch of supplies from Newfoundland to the troops in Europe. His other major accomplishment at Dow Field was meeting and marrying his lifelong wife, best friend and the love of his life, Eleanor Provost Feb. 22, 1943. After leaving the service, Paul and Eleanor settled in Bangor to raise their family. Paul worked at the General Adjustment Bureau where he developed an excellent reputation for honesty and integrity. He established the Paul L. Riley Insurance Agency, where he tirelessly worked for his many accounts. One of his major accounts was the Catholic Diocese of Portland. He actively ran his agency until his retirements at age 84. Paul served on many boards and committees at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor, where he was an active member. He was also involved in many other school and community activities. His family life was a rich and full one. Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He lived for his family, always giving of himself and thinking of others before himself. He provided an abundance of love, care and support. He was so proud of his family and they gave him his greatest sense of joy and accomplishment. Maryann Sylvain, Susan Frances Riley and Kevin Paul loved their father dearly and considered him to be their greatest blessing. He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren, Amy Melissa and Shaun Riley Sylvain, Christopher Paul and Erin Riley Dean and Hannah Marie Grant and Andrew Paul Riley; and a great-grandchild, Riley Elizabeth Sylvain. Paul and Eleanor built a family camp at Lucerne-in-Maine, where they spent many happy hours with their family and friends. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots and the University of Maine hockey team. Like any good Irishman, Paul enjoyed talking politics and current events. “We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name, in life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.” Paul is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Eleanor; his three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; as well as his daughter-in-law, Vicki Riley; two sisters, Eleanor Cummings and Margaret Smyth; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Andrew and Joseph; and one sister, Helen McClellan. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor, with a reception at the church immediately after the service. Those who wish may contribute to All Saints School, 754 Ohio St., Bangor, ME 04401 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131.