Donald G. Riley Obituary
Donald G. Riley, 75, of Gloucester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, August 4, 2026, at Beverly Hospital.
He was born in Gloucester, MA, on August 31, 1950, the son of the late George P. Riley Jr. and Anne E. (McPherson) Riley.
Don graduated from Gloucester High School, Class of 1968, and later received his bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts Boston, Class of 1972.
He worked for many years as a Supervisor of Distribution and Operations for the USPS, serving as a Supervisor of Distribution at the GFM in North Reading.
Don was very involved at Gloucester High School, where he was a substitute teacher before moving into the position of MCAS test coordinator/facilitator. In these roles, he was always seen helping students with their school essays and scholarship applications. He was also the Moose Youth Awareness Coordinator, along with Val Gilman. Don was well respected by the students he supported at Gloucester High School and through his role with Youth Awareness.
Bowling was a favorite hobby of his. He began competitive candlepin bowling at a young age, winning the MBA Pony State Singles Championship at just 11 years old. In 1969, he became the youngest bowler to win an adult event and went on to capture numerous State and World Championships, including World Doubles Mixed Team in 1971, 1972, and 1973; State Mixed Champion in 1976; and Candle Pins for Cash Massachusetts State Champion in 1981 and 1987.
Don set multiple records, including a record of 18 consecutive wins on WHDH-TV's Winning Pins Junior Bowling Show. He also appeared on the program a record 37 times. Following his many wins, he became the Contestant Coordinator for Candle Pins for Cash, the popular Don Gillis-hosted show that went off the air in 1998.
Don retired from competitive bowling in 1992 but continued supporting the sport as a commentator and bowling leader. In 2002, Don was inducted into the International Candlepin Association Hall of Fame.
Don also had a passion for game shows, both watching and appearing on them. He appeared on Wheel of Fortune, Classic Concentration, and Scrabble.
Don was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose #1471, Elks Lodge #892, and the National Association of Postal Supervisors.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and whose lives he touched.
Don is survived by his cousins, Tim Riley and his wife, Marilyn, of Niantic, Connecticut, Darryl Riley and his wife Donna of Gloucester; godchildren, Gloucester Police Officer Sean Thomas Riley, Thomas Edward Middleton Jr., and Eva Jean Michel; close friends Tim M. Michel and his wife, Lynda; Christopher McCarthy and his wife, Sharon; Valerie Gilman and her husband, Paul; along with other longtime friends, Roger Campbell, Harold "Bucky" Rogers, Roseanne Cody, Diane Muise, Deb Callahan, Mike Feeney, Kevin Ward, Stephen Curcuru, and too many others to mention—but you know who you are!
A visitation will be held at Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by his Memorial Mass, celebrated at St. Ann's Church, Holy Family Parish, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Beechbrook Cemetery, Gloucester. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern Massachusetts, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.
