H. John Riley Jr. died on Saturday, June 1, following a brief illness, surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He was 83.
John was born November 13, 1940, in Syracuse, New York to Esther and Harold John Riley, Sr. He was the first of his family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from Syracuse University in 1961. An outstanding scholar and athlete at North High School, he was a recipient of the Gifford scholarship that allowed him to attend SU. During college, he worked in the mailroom of Crouse-Hinds, a Syracuse-based electrical products manufacturing company.
Crouse-Hinds would be his work family for more than 44 years, working his way up from the mailroom to CEO. He and wife Diane moved their family from Syracuse, to Illinois, then to Virginia before landing in Houston as part of the Cooper Industries acquisition of Crouse-Hinds. After various management positions at Cooper, he was named CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1996. At the time of his retirement in 2006, Cooper Industries was a highly profitable $5 billion dollar Fortune 500 Company. He knew every employee at Cooper’s Houston headquarters and made a point of acknowledging them by name‑a signature trait that was part of his DNA.
He was a board member of Baker Hughes, Inc., the Allstate Corp., Dynegy Inc., Wyman Gordon Corp., Westlake Chemical Corp. and Post Oak Bank. Additionally, he served as a Trustee of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and as a member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees.
He had a long history of volunteer and community involvement. His past volunteer leadership activities include tenures with Greater Houston Partnership and Business Committee for the Arts. He is a former Chairman of Central Houston, Inc. and was part of the leadership team that developed Minute Maid Park; home to his beloved Astros. He was Chairman of Junior Achievement and recipient of Junior Achievement’s National Gold Leadership Award. He was also chosen as one of Houston’s Men of Distinction in 2015.
On his retirement in 2006, he and his wife established the H. John and Diane M. Riley Family Fund to focus on their continuing interest in education, health and welfare and civic improvement. Major beneficiaries include the Syracuse University H. John and Diane M. Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program Scholarship Fund, the Women’s Home, the Baylor Breast Center, Discovery Green, The Hobby Center, The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, the Vineyard Preservation Trust, the MVYouth Scholarship fund and many others. The couple chaired many major fundraising events: the United Negro College Fund, the Star of Hope, the Houston Grand Opera, Ronald McDonald House and the Women’s Home.
He loved life; visiting with his Syracuse Shotty’s Gang (more than 70 year friendships), golfing with his best buddies in Houston and Martha’s Vineyard, attending concerts, performances, charitable events and supporting his favorite sport’s teams. He also loved a good “chicken dance”.
Most of all, he was happiest with everything to do with family; starting with his best friend and love of his life, Diane. He’d beam when talking about his children and their spouses and was at his best when he was with his grandkids at Chappy on Martha’s Vineyard. A day spent boating, playing games, doing puzzles or just relaxing with his best buddies, Otto and Cooper—was a day well-spent.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s, MICU. And a very special thank you to Rocio Bonilla who has been caring for the Riley household for many years.
Friends were invited to a visitation with the family from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Wayne Wilkerson is to serve as celebrant. The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the services.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Syracuse University’s H. John and Diane M. Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program Scholarship Fund and sent to the attention of Jodie Ralston, Executive Director of Advancement Services, 640 Skytop Road, Syracuse, NY 13244. Gifts may also be made online: givetosu.syr.edu/johnriley
For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting John’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the Join Livestream icon on the service section. While there, you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolences with his family by selecting the Add a Memory icon.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Diane; his children, Beth (Marcus) St. Raymond, Thomas (Dr. Lizabeth) Riley and Patrick (Beatrice) Riley; seven grandchildren, Emma and Charlotte St. Raymond, Matthew, Megan and Tristan Riley and John and Connor Riley; along with their labradoodles Otto and Cooper. He also leaves behind his sister, Judy (Sonny) McGinley; three nieces; a nephew; and three godchildren. He is predeceased by both of his parents and his siblings; Dolores Shea, Donna (John) Billion, Ronald (Sue) Riley as well as his nephew, Sean Riley and his niece Deborah Shea.
May the road rise up to meet you and may God hold you in the palm of His hand. The Life of Riley has been a good life.
