Obituaries

Steven Riley

Steven Richard Riley, 59, of Lorton, Va., passed away peacefully on May 6 at home after a long illness. A celebration of his life will be held in both Virginia and New Jersey in June.

Born in Newark, Steve grew up in Kearny, and graduated from Queen of Peace High School, where he excelled on the track team, held school records for many years after graduating, and was N.J. state champion in cross country at the pinnacle of his running career. He and his brother Gary could be seen running throughout North Arlington, constantly improving their craft. Steve received a full four-year scholarship to Georgetown University.

An accountant for many years before retiring, Steve is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Beverly (Lester). He is survived by his children, Erin and Sean, both of Va., his brother Gary of Santa Cruz, Calif., and his daughters Sara and Natalie, also of California, his sister Karen Riley O’Connor, her husband Kevin and son Owen of Nutley. He is also survived by his beloved nurse and friend, Isata. Her loving care is testament to his beating all the doctors’ predictions, with a little help from Steve’s endurance: a long distance runner in spirit to the end.

William F. Risano

William (Bill) Frederick Risano, 76, died Friday, May 17, in St. Michael’s Medical Center ICU, Newark, after a 22-year diligently waged war against prostate cancer. He was born April 1, 1937, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the youngest child of John Risano and wife Myrtle Slafer.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard. He is survived by his wife Ann Green of Harrison, his sister Liela Lombardo of Manassas, Va, his former wife Christine Risano of Livingston, their three children, Veronica Risano (Maciej Kapczynski) of Livingston, Valerie Risano (Jay Lambertus) of Montana and Peter Risano of Maine; by grandchildren Isabella and Sam Kapczynski; Julia Lambertus; Jeremy, Joshua, and Anastasia Risano; by nieces and nephews Lila Jividen, Leslie Ann Wiesenfeld; Lisa Parish and Richard Risano; and by four grandnieces and three grandnephews.

After graduating from St. John High School and Queens College, Bill did graduate work in philosophy at Duquesne University. He served in the Army Reserve and pursued a career as a computer analyst working for Woolworth, The Ford Foundation, EEO Services of Manhattan, his own company Rivendell Consulting, and other concerns. He was a kind and intelligent man with a unique sense of humor who deeply loved his family. His other interests included music, philosophy, and human rights.

The family thanks Dr. Ralph D’Agostino and Dr. Lillian Pliner for their caring, professional guidance.

Private services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. Cremation was private. A memorial service will be held toward the end of summer. For information or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.mulliganfuneralhome.org.

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