Obituary of Joseph Riley D.M.D.

Rensselaer – Dr. Joseph E. Riley, 92, of Rensselaer died at Samaritan Hospital, Troy on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Born in Cohoes, son of Patrick and Ella May Doherty Riley. Resided in Troy where he attended St. Peter’s Academy and LaSalle Institute. Employed with Behr-Manning and Bendix Aviation while attending Siena College where he pursued Pre-med studies. Graduated with B.S. in Biology. Enlisted U.S. Army 1942 trained as a Medic and later entered Tufts University School of Dental Medicine graduating in 1947. Practiced dentistry for 3 years in Lansingburgh. During Korean Conflict he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force as an active duty oral surgeon for two years after which he practiced in Lansingburgh and Loudonville for over 30 years. Professional affiliations include; American Dental Association, Externship in Oral Surgery at Veterans Hospital, Chelsea, Mass., N.Y. State Dental Society and the Third District Dental Society. Served as Commissioner of Oral Surgery, Committees on Legislation, Dental Health and Continuing Education. He was Past President of Troy Dental Study Club and member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and N.Y. State Audit and Control as Medicaid Dental Auditor. Hospital affiliations included; Mitchel Air Force Base as Chief Oral Surgeon, attending staff at Leonard Hospital, Samaritan Hospital and Chief of Dental Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, Associate Staff at Memorial Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital. Certification by New York State Board of Oral Surgeons, Fellowships in the Academy of General Dentistry and the International College of Dentists. In addition he earned and was awarded a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. He has been published in several national professional magazines and professional journals. His teaching experience has been at Hudson Valley Community College where he served as Clinical Professor of Dentistry and Director of the Dental Auxiliary Training Unit. He was a member of Troy Lions Club; Board of Directors, Lansingburgh Boys Club; Director, Lansingburgh School Board, member 17 years and Vice President, Scoutmaster Troop 14, St. Mary’s , Troy, Boy Scout Committee Chairman, Troop 11, St. Augustine’s, Troy. Served on Lansingburgh School Board for 17 years, Rensselaer County Heart Fund; Director, Albany Diocese School Board; President, Catholic Central High School; Trustee, Colonie Elks, Troy Dental Study Club, Colonie Youth Center; Director, LaSalle Institute; Board member and Board Chairman. N.Y State Certified Realtor, N.Y. Supreme Court Hearing Officer, N.Y. Certified Assessor. He was a member of Our Lady of Assumption Church, Latham where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed swimming, bicycling, golf, walking, writing, (published 3 books that include two biographies and The Last Convoy). He also enjoyed travel, fishing, boating, dining out, photography, poker, sports, reading, crossword puzzles and carpentry. He loved his family, his friends, ice cream and sightseeing, all kinds of food except one, his computer and telling stories. He is survived by his wife of just shy of 70 years, Ruth M. Hollinger Riley, his daughter Linda R. Green (Matt Burroughs) of Melrose, his son Daniel J. Riley of Malta, his granddaughter, Shalina L. Rossi of Melrose and grandson Bristin R. (Tiffany) Green of Gansevoort, sadly missing his great grandson’s birth by two months. Funeral Monday, 10:00am at Our Lady of Assumption, Latham where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, followed by interment in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, N.Y. Relatives and friends may call at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes on Sunday from 2 to 4pm. Those who wish to remember Joseph in a special way may make a contribution to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.