Obituaries

Patrick Cronin Riley, age 82, of Cedarville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, at Ball Hospice in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, after a short illness. He was born at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, on March 5, 1944, to Fred and Lorraine (Cronin) Riley.

Pat graduated from Niles High School in Niles, Michigan, with the Class of 1962, followed by a short stint at Indiana University - South Bend. He went on to join the family business, the F.W. Riley Company, which served as Manufacturers Representatives supplying the Electric Utilities, Co-ops, and REA’s all over the state of Michigan. Pat would remain a manufacturer’s representative for the rest of his life until retirement, as the F.W. Riley Company evolved into the Riley Company. He also started several home-based side businesses over the years.

The Riley Family fell in love with the Les Cheneaux Islands area while on vacation in 1954 when Pat was just ten years old, with the family soon purchasing a summer home on Coryell Island in Cedarville. Pat and his family eventually decided to make the Les Cheneaux Area their permanent home, relocating from their home in Cassopolis, Michigan, to Lakeside Rd in Cedarville back in 1992. He resided there in the “House on the Hill” for the rest of his life. Pat was a man of many talents, passions, and interests. He was self-taught in many life-skills, and was never afraid to jump into a project, even if he’d never done it before. Creativity was something Pat took pride in. Over the years he found himself immersed in a long list of hobbies: car drag racing, dirt bikes, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, snowmobiles, hunting, fishing, trap shooting, Ham Radio, cruising the waters of Les Cheneaux in boats of all types and descriptions, music, and Hot-Rod cars. He even experimented with bee keeping for a time.

Pat took particular pride and joy in the projects that required him to work with his head as well as his hands, that required both critical thinking and manual skills. At the top of the list for those challenging endeavors were his wood boat restoration projects and building his prized 1934 Ford Hot-Rod from scratch.

He was a huge pet lover, having enjoyed the company of several great dogs over the years.

Pat’s legacy will live on through his children, Christopher Riley of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Seana Riley, of Sun City, Florida, Ryan Riley of Niles, Kristen and Meghan Riley of Wilmington, North Carolina; grandchildren, Cole, Shelby, Lilli, and Gabby all of whom reside in North Carolina; sister, Christine Marie Riley, who lives on the family property in Niles; and special friend and companion of many years, Sandra Mattson.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lorraine.

Pat will be remembered by his friends and family as a man that loved to laugh and have a good time, with a quick wit, a sharp mind, and a fun sense of humor. One thing everybody that knew Pat can confirm; he loved a good time. The family will be announcing plans for a Memorial Service and a Celebration of Life at a later date.

In lieu of cards or flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Pat’s name to the Ball House Hospice, 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.