Jack was born in Bennington, VT to John H. and Ruth Lavin Riley on Remembrance Day in 1951. For many years, he believed the Memorial Day parades were for him alone to celebrate his birthday.
He was raised in a loving household in Groveside, NY, where on a dirt road his father and his Uncle Bob built homes side by side. The cousins were more like siblings than cousins. It was somewhat a magical childhood, living out in the country and exploring the world with his cousin, Bobby. Jack’s siblings are Kathy Riley, Bennington, VT; Tom Riley (Kristee Iacobucci), Groveside, NY; and Trish Bossong, Bennington, VT; and his cousins are Barb Gifford, Groveside, NY; Mary Jane Eddy (dec) and Bobby Ellis (dec). He attended a one room schoolhouse down the road for a couple of years, then St. Mary’s and then public school in Hoosick Falls.
After graduating from Hoosick Falls High School, Jack attended Hudson Valley Community College and then proceeded to Oswego State University. In his senior year, Jack met Laurie Hugenbruch and followed her home to the Rochester, NY area. They wed in 1974. He loved all his in-laws and reveled in becoming an uncle on both sides of the family.
Jack proceeded to pursue engineering degrees at RIT, culminating in a Masters in Systems Engineering. Along the way, he worked for various companies as an engineer and after that as a consultant and college professor. He loved being able to share real life experiences with his students.
Jack and Laurie have two children – Meghann and Patrick. When Meg married Stephen Rose, it was an especially wonderful expansion of the family and eventually included three grandchildren: Evelyn, Gavin and Augustus (Gus). Jack loved his children and grandchildren immensely, nurturing all their interests, whatever they may be. He had unique bonds with each grandchild and loved to spoil them with gifts and experiences. Jack nurtured the leader in Evie, the scientist in Gavin and the artist in Gus. Family dinner and family vacations were some of his favorite experiences.
Jack had a great sense of humor. He loved to tease, joke and be good-natured trouble, encouraging his grandchildren and nieces and nephews to do the same. Jack often wore shirts with puns for which he loved to see other people’s reaction. Sarcasm and quick wit he passed along to his children and grandchildren.
He also gave freely of his time to volunteer in many roles either alongside his family or with his profession. Despite never playing soccer in his youth, he learned the game and coached both his children and his grandchildren. He was the cub scout leader of the No Fun Den. (The NFD was named such as he made sure those boys toed the line! Quite a few of them ended up achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.) He was a founding member of the local chapter of INCOSE – International Council on Systems Engineering – and was a key part of coordinating their 2005 International Symposium in Rochester. Jack actively served in church leadership roles and youth groups in Irondequoit, volunteered in the Livonia Fire Department and Livonia and Lima Volunteer Ambulance Corps, among other things.
He was deeply spiritual. His impact on others and this world is immeasurable.
When not working or volunteering he puttered around his beloved six-acre farm in South Lima, NY where the family moved from West Irondequoit – gardening, bee keeping, wine making, wood working, bread baking, building an outdoor wood fired pizza oven, etc., etc. Whatever he was doing outside, he made sure music was playing – mostly 60’s and 70’s. Ask our neighbors. He taught himself guitar and saxophone, although he could never carry a tune. In fact, he turned on music first thing in the morning in the house, even if shortly thereafter he left to do something else.
Jack loved holidays and traditions. He left us with an immense wealth of memories of Christmas cookie baking and tree sales, pumpkin carving at Halloween, trips to the State Fair, RIT Imagination Day, STEM camp, Easter egg hunts, first day of school photos, fireworks, bonfires and sparklers, splashing in the pool, vacation breakfasts, and playing games like UNO, Telestrations and Cribbage.
There will be a celebration of Jack’s life at the farm on Sunday, May 28th. Email CelebrateJack0528@gmail.com for details and to RSVP.
His desire is to have his ashes scattered in South Lima, Groveside, at Wrigley Field when his beloved Cubbies are playing at home, somewhere in Ireland and on a beach in Delaware where the extended family spent a week each summer for the past nine years or so. Jack and Evie always had breakfast duty. The past two years he had t-shirts made that said Breakfast Crew just for the two of them.
He will be – and already is – deeply missed.
The Jack Riley Memorial Fund is being established at FLCC to support the purchase of equipment for the lab at the Victor Campus where he was a professor for the past six plus years. Donations can be made at https://www.flcc.edu/giving/ or by sending a check made out to the FLCC Foundation and sent to Finger Lakes Community College Foundation, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424.
In either case, please note that the gift is designated for the Jack Riley Memorial Fund.
Jack was a talented educator and highly respected colleague at FLCC. It was evident he was passionate about teaching as well as his students. He was kind, caring, and patient and his students were so very fortunate to have him as their professor – and all of us, as his colleagues. Jack will truly be missed by so many at FLCC, and the Victor campus center will not be the same without him there. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
Jack was an amazing, knowledgeable and kind man. I so enjoyed working with him and listening to him talk about his family and especially grandchildren. He always looked forward to his summer trips to Delaware and I always enjoyed hearing about them when he returned for the fall semester. I watched the impact he had on the many students during my time working at the Victor Campus Center. He held students accountable, but always made sure to have fun. It was wonderful to see him bring Evie in for the STEAM Camps, or when just passing through. He will be missed by many. He had such an impact on so many students; well, and me. May your heart be at peace, Jack and may your spirit show through in ways that your family still knows you’re with them (you were in many ways like my dad in enjoying getting a response to some teasing and sarcasm). Take comfort in knowing he’ll always be with you all. He’ll always surround you. Remember to laugh at the signs he shows you. He’ll never be forgotten!
Jack was a thoughtful and kind colleague. I had the pleasure of working closely with him on several projects. I was privileged to see him work with middle schoolers at FLCC STEAM Camp, alongside his granddaughter, Evie. Their relationship was so special. I will miss Jack terribly.
Dear Laurie,
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My father loved to talk about you, and how wonderful you are — and he always mentioned that your husband was facing health challenges and he felt great sympathy and concern for you and your family. Of course, he also always went on to praise all your talent and skill (all thoroughly well deserved). You were so special to him — and continue to be, to Ellen and me. Our thoughts are with you, and I wish you strength and comfort from your loved ones (and from me if I can ever be of any help).
With sympathy and affection,
Judy Lewis
Had the pleasure and the honor of working with Jack. My condolences to his family. Thank you to those who wrote the loving tribute, or did you write that yourself, Jack? If so, nice job!
I met Jack in fourth grade at St.Mary’s in Hoosick Falls. We were friends in grade school and high school. He was the nicest person anyone could meet.
Jack was such a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. I enjoyed his many posts on social media about the various projects that he was working on at the farm where the goal was clearly to create joy for his family. This always seemed to be what was at the heart of each of these endeavors. As long as I can remember Laurie and Jack have been together. It is such sad news to lose someone who is so loved and who gave so much. I recall a story he told once about life at SUNY Oswego – it would get so windy there that they had ropes that students could grab onto while walking across the campus! Tough conditions that did not seem to phase him. My love and condolences to Laurie, Meghann, Patrick and the family.
Sally Rousseau and Family
I also did not know Jack but what an incredible life (beautifully written obit) – he surely lived it to the fullest with love and joy and a strong work ethic. What a blessing for anyone who knew him and especially his family!
Thank you for making such an amazing mark on this world, Uncle Jack, especially on my Mom and Dad. I just know that you and my Dad are up there wearing Hawaiian shirts, drinking wine and playing games. My love and prayers are with you all, Aunt Laurie, Meghann, Patrick and the kids
Dear Laurie, Meghann, Patrick and family,
While we celebrate with gratitude Jack’s life, this is such sad news. I am so grateful I got to share good times with the Riley’s. Jack and your family have been a source of such inspiration for me and so many others. For Jack the heavens are ringing out loud and clear: Well done good and faithful servant.
My love is with you and my heart hurts for you. May God hold you close during this time and grant peace to your hearts.
Lou
I never knew Jack however after reading his obituary, I wish I did. Jack was quite the man. Rest in piece with the Lord.