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February 9, 2024Father Walter J. Riley passed away suddenly this morning (Feb. 9).
He was born in Worcester on July 15, 1960, the son of Richard F. Riley Sr. and Marie (Fiore) Riley.
He graduated in 1978 from St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School. He attended Quinsigamond Community College and, in 1984, received his bachelor’s degree from Assumption College. He studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, earning a master’s of divinity degree.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop McManus on June 3, 2006, at St. Paul Cathedral.
Following ordination, he was assigned associate pastor of Christ the King Parish, Worcester. Father Riley became pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester in 2010 and served the parish until 2021. He was then named pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough until 2022. He actively served as pastor of St. Anne Parish in Shrewsbury until his passing.
Father Riley also served as the chaplain of the Worcester Fire Department from 2007 until 2021 and as the diocesan director of priest personnel from 2014 through 2020.
In 2018, Father Riley recieved the Gospel of Life award from the diocese.
A wake service will be held on Feb. 16 from 3-7 p.m. at St. Bernard Church, 228 Lincoln St., Worcester, followed by a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. also at St. Bernard Church. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St. Worcester. Mercadante Funeral Home is conducting arrangements.
