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Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Dennis S. Riley, Dies

Fr. Riley was Pastor Emeritus of St. Angela Parish on Potomac Street in Chicago

Chicago, IL (April 26, 2018) – Rev. Dennis S. Riley, 66, passed away on April 15, 2018. He was Pastor Emeritus of St. Angela Parish on Potomac Street in Chicago.

Fr. Riley was born on June 9, 1951 in Chicago and was ordained to the priesthood on May 9, 1979 by John Cardinal Joseph Cody, Archbishop of Chicago.

Fr. Riley attended Paul Revere Elementary School, St. Bernard School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, all in Chicago. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Loyola University in Chicago, a master’s degree at the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. According to Rev. Philip Kiley, archdiocesan retired priest, Fr. Riley also earned a post-graduate degree in African-American Studies.

“He had a good sense of humor, loved to read and was a fantastic chess player,” said Fr. Kiley, who called Fr. Riley his best friend. “He was able to communicate with all types of people of all ages and backgrounds.”

After ordination to priesthood, Fr. Riley served the archdiocese in a variety of roles. He started as associate pastor of St. Charles Lwanga Parish on Garfield Boulevard in Chicago (1979-82), and served as associate pastor at four additional Chicago parishes: St. Margaret of Scotland Parish on S. Throop Street, Holy Rosary Parish on 113th Street, St. Ambrose Parish on 47th Street and Holy Angels Parish on Oakwood Boulevard. Additionally, Fr. Riley served as pastor of St. Angela Parish on Potomac Street in Chicago until 2001 when he was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus.

“He was a wonderful classmate, tremendous person, great (and competitive) basketball player in college,” said Rev. Gregory Sakowicz, a classmate of Fr. Riley and rector of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. “He had a wonderful sense of humor and had a great love for people. He was someone you could easily talk to. It was an honor and joy to be ordained together in May of 1979.”

Visitation hours will be 2 – 8 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018 at St. Martin de Porres Church, 5112 W. Washington Boulevard in Chicago, and 9 – 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Avenue in Chicago.

A prayer service will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Martin de Porres Church, 5112 W. Washington Boulevard in Chicago. The Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Avenue in Chicago.

Rev. Phil Kiley will be the main celebrant and homilist while Bishop Goedert will preside in choir dress. 

Interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Ill.