Arthur Barry "Butch" Riley

Arthur Barry “Butch” Riley passed away peacefully in Methuen on September 2nd after a brief illness.

The son of George E. and Teresa M. (Barry) Riley. He was born in Lawrence on May 15th, 1937. He attended St. Laurence O’Toole Parish and grammar school. He graduated from Central Catholic High School (Class of ’54) & earned his BS degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

He married the love of his life Kathleen (McQuade) in 1960. They spent 66 years together building a family and sharing strong values based on love, respect, learning, hard work, humor & faith.

From a young age he was enamored with Rockingham Park’s “sport of kings”, was an avid fisherman and intensely followed the fortunes of all Boston sports, especially the Red Sox.

Arthur dedicated 40+ years of his life working in independent pharmacies. He began his career at Walsh’s Drug Store/Banville’s Berkley Pharmacy in Lawrence and continued at others in Hudson, NH and Pepperell, MA. He was an Air Force reservist and the Milk Inspector for the Town of Methuen.

Butch was a proud & longstanding member of The Pleasant View Citizens / Dewey Club in Methuen. He also humorously touted his status as a faithful member of Sam’s Club.

After retirement he enjoyed keeping busy with odd jobs around the family home on Prospect St and tending to the front lawn he was so proud of. He wintered in the warmth of Port Charlotte, FL and found great joy driving there on his annual road trip. He was a professional napper, garage sitter, reader, meat & potatoes connoisseur, crossword and Keno enthusiast.

Arthur was always willing to lend a hand, share a story or a good joke, test you with trivia or simply sit back and share a cold beer. He was fiercely independent which some attributed to his stubborn Irish nature. He loved his family above all and was happiest spending time with its youngest members. He had blue eyes, a warm smile, a quick wit and friendly face that gave Arthur a natural charm that made him easy to know and hard to forget. His generosity, unique take on things and entertaining conversations will be missed by all.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Rev. George F. Riley, OSA and his sister, Elizabeth (Betty) A. Riley.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen E. (McQuade) Riley of Hampstead, NH, son George M. & wife Susan Riley of East Hampstead, NH, daughters, Mary Ellen Everson of Salem, NH, Kathleen A. and husband Scott Petrie of Newburyport, MA. Pampy or Grandpa Butch will also be greatly missed by grandchildren Sarah Ellis, Caitlin Flynn, Kristen Sullivan, Meghan Larson, Matthew and Ryan Petrie and the ‘greats’, Cameron, Gavin, Parker, Nicholas, Will, Ben, Riley & CJ (Christian Jr). He also leaves his sister-in-law, Mary Lou McQuade, his long time and favorite chauffeur and personal shopper, Don Davis, a devoted and supportive family friend, several cousins and many treasured friends.

Services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made in Arthur’s name to: The Fr. George F. Riley, OSA. Fund for Augustinian HealthCare, 214 Ashwood Rd, Villanova, PA, 19085 (https://augustinian.org/support/care/)

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.carrierfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087.