John E. Riley, 66, of 35143 NYS RT. 3 Carthage, passed November 8, 2017 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

A funeral service with military honors will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 14 at the Bruce Funeral Home 131 Maple St., Black River.

Calling hours will precede the service Tuesday, 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Born on February 12, 1951 in Watertown, son of Woodrow and Ethel R. Hamblin Riley, he graduated from Watertown High School.

Following school he entered the US Navy on June 24, 1969 and was honorably discharged on March 6, 1973, receiving the National Defense Service Medal.

Upon returning home he went to work for NY Air Brake up until the company closed in the early 90's.  He then attended Jefferson Community College.

He married Mary E. Schneider on November 22, 1986 at the Woolworth United Methodist Church in Great Bend.  The couple resided in Watertown and moved to Carthage in 1987.

He and his wife owned and operated Emerald Fur's and Formals in which he worked at until he became disabled.

He was an avid hunter, loved to gamble and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Among his survivors are his beloved wife Mary E. Riley, Carthage, a son, Thomas Riley, Carthage, eight daughters and three sons in law, Cathie and Allen Reustle, CO, Angel and David Ashley, Watertown, Kally and Bruce Hull, Redwood, Erin Dulmage, Clayton, Carson Riley, Watertown, Keandra, Kassandra and Kiara Riley all of Carthage, two brothers and a sister in law, Woodrow and Barbara Riley, VA, Jimmy Riley, Watertown, four sisters and their husbands, Marcia and Chuck Lineback, Iowa, Sally and Pat Patterson, Tylerville, Margaret and Darryl Storey, Watertown, Tina and Phil Morrison, Watertown, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A grandson, Thomas Riley, two sisters, Dorothy Ferguson, Kathy Boak and a brother, Thomas Riley all died before him.

Donations may be made to the Advanced Heart Failure Program 601 Elmwood Ave box 679T Rochester, NY Attention Dr leway Chen. John was given the gift of a left ventricular assistant device from the medical group 7 years ago. That allowed him many more years with family and friends.

Online condolences may be made at  www.hartandbrucefh.com