Gary V. Riley, 66, of New Britain, peacefully joined his Heavenly Father Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at home. Born in New York to the late Milton and Vernay (Roache) Riley, he was raised here in New Britain and attended St. Mary's and New Britain High School where he was a drummer in the great New Britain Hurricane Marching Band. He was also an outstanding basketball player which he carried on to Middlesex Community College, and he married his high school sweetheart Vira M.(Rogers) Riley on July 8, 1967. He leaves her; their son Shawn A. Riley and his significant other Kim Brown of Plantsville; daughter Traci E. Riley and special friend Tom Melzmuf of New Britain; brother Detective Milton and his wife Evelyn Riley of New Britain; brother Michael and his wife Adele Riley of Trotwood, Ohio; sister Michelle (Riley) and husband Earl Stevens of New Britain; loving cousin Harriett and husband Levi Trimble; three grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and a hosts of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends here in the United States and Bahamas. Gary, a retired policeman of the City of New Britain Police Dept. (30 years), had a highly decorated career. He served on many special assignments, was a field training officer to many, and a devoted officer/friend to the brother/sisterhoods of police and fire personnel everywhere. Gary applied his policeman abilities to the City of West Hartford Board of Education, and was the officer in charge of King Philip Middle School Security where he shared and cared for the safety of students, teachers, staff and administrators for 14 years. Gary was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, Commissioner of Health, and Commissioner of Housing for the City of New Britain under various mayors. Gary loved the New Britain Retirees Saturday morning breakfast at The Oasis in Bristol, being with the guys. He was Union President of the Local 1303-340 of Council #4 Security Union of West Hartford, and he served on the executive board of police union Local 1165. Gary also played on the New Britain Police Softball Team for many years. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. The preceding appeared in the Hartford Courant on November 9, 2014.

Gary was an avid sports fan who enjoyed nothing more than good natured harassment of Red Sox fans, an entertaining storyteller, a ruthless practical joker, an incessant talker who always got the last word, and a good friend.