John J. “Pete, Coach” Riley

John J (Pete, Coach) Riley, 90, of Syracuse, NY took flight for greener pastures on May 4, 2026.  He was a proud Irish Catholic Democrat, Notre Dame fan, and Navy Veteran, serving aboard the USS Papago during the Korean War.  One of his proudest memories is when he and his fellow sailors saved twenty-eight crew members off a foreign ship that sunk off the coast of Cuba.  

He made his living driving truck and bartending, retiring from Roth Steel.  

Pete was always in pursuit of his next adrenaline rush, whether riling up his buddies at the bar, rooting on a kid at a sporting event, betting on a horse or football game or QuickDraw…or the “high” he’d feel after attending Sunday mass.  In his youth he was a stellar athlete.  “It always came easy to me,” he’d say. This wasn’t the story when it came to minding his manners and academics, often reminding us, “I got kicked out of every Catholic school in the city!”

He was a stubborn and lovable, super-sized, say-it-as-it-is presence straight through till the end who will be greatly missed.  

The family would like to thank the staff at Loretto who lovingly named him “Coach” for their care.  They are an overworked bunch who get far too little praise for the job they do and he gave them a run for their money.  Also, his dedicated friends: especially Don, Billy, and Gene who prayed over-him in his last hours, sang to him and played Irish tunes on the harmonica. 

Pete is survived by his four children: Dan Riley (Keren), Kathleen Riley-Tryon (Cindy), Pete Riley (Lara), and Mary Pat Fogarty (Dan). His grandchildren: Zachery Tryon, Jacob Fogarty, Bridget DeJoy (Joe), Caitlyn Riley, and Brendan Riley. Also, his great-grandchildren: Braedan, Ranae, Reese, Jewels, Jillian and Jacob. He is predeceased by his parents John and Sophie Riley, and his sister Mary Ann Olszewski.

Calling hours are Wednesday, May 13th, 8:30-9:30 am at Sears Middleton Mathewson Funeral Home, 209 N. Main Street, North Syracuse.  A funeral mass will be held at Saint Rose of Lima at 10am Wednesday, with a burial to follow at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.  All are welcome to a celebration of Pete’s life at Jake Hafner’s Restaurant, 5224 West Taft Road, North Syracuse following the cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to DAV: Disabled American Veterans.

DAV Charitable Service Trust

860 Dolwick Drive

Erlanger, KY 41018

Go Irish!

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