Donald W. Riley

Donald W. Riley, 83, of Beaver, passed away at home, surrounded by his family, Saturday, November 9, 2019.

Born August 3, 1936 in Ambridge, he was a son of the late Wallace and Eleanor Riley. Don started his long, varied career delivering papers, working in a drug store, and delivering dry cleaning in his younger years. A 1954 graduate of Ambridge High School, he continued his education at Garfield Business Institute, while working as a cost accountant for National Electric. He went on to serve his country in 1959, as part of the 7th Army Support Command in Germany during the Berlin Crisis, receiving several letters of commendation for outstanding performance, and winning individual awards as a member of his battalion rifle and carbine teams which competed in matches throughout Western Germany.

Upon his return to the local area, Don accepted a position with Armco Steel, working his way up from mail room delivery to Superintendent of Materials Management. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Geneva College in 1972, allowing him to continue in his 45 years of management positions in manufacturing and quality consulting not only with Armco, but also Marathon Special Products, Lear, and the Pittsburgh Technology Council. It was with PTC that Don set the standard for several companies in their acquisition of international recognition as ISO/QS 9000 organizations. After his retirement in 2001, he began Riley Associates, acting as a private Quality Consultant. Don officially retired at the age of 70.

Don was certified in Production and Inventory Management with the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). He was active with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, a past director and treasurer of the Ambridge Country Club, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. As a sponsor of Junior Achievement, Don shared his strong work ethic and vast knowledge in manufacturing with local students. In his spare time, he loved to fish, hunt, and golf with his father.

Above all he accomplished in business, Don will be most remembered by those who knew him as a loving husband and good father.

Don will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 56 years, Billie Riley, Beaver; two loving and caring children, Jason Riley, Beaver, and Jennifer (Seth Spill) Miele, Wexford; sister, Judy Malarik; niece, Lori Malarik; and 3 great nephews, all of Ambridge.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his in-laws, William and Janet Rain; brother-in-law, Edward Malarik; nieces, Cathy Malarik Courson and Deborah Sue Malarik; and good friend, Preston Covert.

Friends will be received Wednesday, November 13, 2019 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver, where a funeral service, with military honors, will be conducted Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. A private interment will follow at Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Don’s name may be made to The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center, 5324 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224-1733.

Don’s family would like to thank the many neighbors and friends for their help and support during this difficult time.