Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Thomas Joseph “Joe” Riley, 77, a longtime resident of Edgewater, died at his residence on June 25, 2021. 
Joe grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and attended St Mary’s Grammar School 1-4th grade, Leonard Hall Military Academy 5-8th grade in Leonardtown, MD, St Mary’s High School 9th grade, Annapolis Jr. High School for another tour of the 9th grade, Annapolis High School 10-12th grades.   He joined the US Army in 1962 and got honorably discharged in 1964 to attend Anne Arundel Community College, though he never graduated.

On November 26, 1966, he happily married the only woman on earth that could/would probably put up with him, Sondra Jean Cloud.  November 26, 2020, marked their 54th wedding anniversary. They were lucky enough to have a son, Shane (aka #1 & Meathead), and a daughter, Shannon (aka #2 & Equalizer), to join them in their lives.  They both were a joy to Joe.  Shane acted as first mate on Joe’s charter boat in Hatteras, NC & Ocean City, MD.  Shannon picked up how to make jewelry in Shantytown Village in OC, MD.  Joe was always proud of his children, their love, work ethic and devotion to their own families to touch on a few things.

 Sondra and Joe bought Lily Cleaners and Cinderella Cleaners and renamed it Cleaning by Riley.  They worked the business from 1974 to 2008 when it was sold, and they both retired.  In the late 70’s, Joe took on a second occupation as a charter boat Captain of the Muff Diver, for 40 years in Ocean City, the Chesapeake Bay, Hatteras and Guatemala.  Joe was an active member of the South Anne Arundel Businessmen’s Association, Annapolis Lions Club, Annapolis Yacht Club, DC Hand Dance Club, Ocean City Marlin Club and a DJ for the South County Show Stoppers.  In retirement, Joe and Sondra enjoyed traveling the western part of the U.S. and being with their family – that has now grown to a son in law, Dario Garcia,  a daughter-in law, Stacey, two granddaughters, Rosalie Marie Riley & Annika Jolie Garcia-Riley and one grandson, Gabriel Tomas Garcia-Riley.


Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joe's life on Thursday, July 1, from 5 pm to 8pm and again on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 11am until a memorial service begins at 12 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joe's memory to St. Jude Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking ,<a href = "https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude-today.html?adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D5AC0E3C6ABC9F0A5-5375956E5444C6B3%7CMCORGID%3D091B467352782E0D0A490D45%40AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1624972280&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stjude.org%2Fabout-st-jude%2Ffaq%2Fwhats-your-mailing-address.html&sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now">here</a> or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607 US or online by clicking <a href = "https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/161982/?gclid=CjwKCAjwieuGBhAsEiwA1Ly_neoca7KrgfcOMJUa8JfnnzLLqCXuWQ996yPhBdHcsr75nKNg8BuQiRoCOGQQAvD_BwE#!/donation/checkout?c_src=google&c_src2=general">here</a>



Life has treated Joe very well.  He had many friends and a full life and regrets that he did not tell his wife, immediate family, and extended family how much he loved them more than what he did.  

Note from family:  This obituary was written ahead of time by the ultimate pre-planner himself, Joe Riley.  He was forever lightening our load and filling our hearts.


Thomas Joseph Riley

Thomas Joseph Riley

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