Remembering Rev. Walter Riley, former Worcester Fire Department chaplain
SHREWSBURY – Those who knew Rev. Walter Riley best have described him as compassionate, humble and funny. The pastor of St. Anne's Parish and former chaplain of the Worcester Fire Department passed away Friday at the age of 63 following a brief illness.
In the front office of the rectory at St. Anne’s Parish, where Riley resided, Tracy Flynn, the director of religious education, said his impact in the community and the church was “immense.
"From speaking with people over the past four days,” said Flynn, who has been with the parish for 38 years, “I realized that we can’t even begin to understand the impact he had. He touched absolutely everybody.”
Born in Worcester to a large family, Riley grew up on Lincoln Street and graduated from St. Peter Marian Central Catholic High School in the class of 1978, where he was a member of the baseball team, that in 1977, won the division I Baseball State Championship, according to his obituary.
After earning a bachelor of arts degree in history from then Assumption College in 1984, Riley worked as a UPS driver for 22 years before making the switch into priesthood.
Ordained in 2006 at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester, he was assigned as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Worcester, a position he held until 2010.
Residents who paid their respects at the funerals of Worcester fallen firefighters Jon Davies, Christopher Roy and Lt. Menard, would have also caught a glimpse of Riley, who was the Catholic Chaplain to the Worcester Fire Department from 2007 until 2021.
“Father Riley exemplified kindness and compassion as our fire department chaplain, providing invaluable support during some of our department’s most challenging moments,” wrote Worcester Fire Chief Martin Dyer Monday. “His dedication as a chaplain was a profound blessing to our members and we are deeply appreciative of his service.”
Worcester Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche said that Riley was often present at multiple alarm fires, numerous truck blessings, memorial Sundays, recruit graduations and continuously made himself available to the members of the department.
After a short time as the pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Westborough, Riley was assigned to St. Anne’s Parish in July 2022.
Judy Goselin, the rectory’s secretary of 16 years, said that in that short time she got to know the pastor’s sense of humor and love for history, calling him “a big history buff.”
Riley had often showed special interest in the American Civil War, often visiting numerous Civil War sites across the country and collecting artifacts and memorabilia.
“I’m still in shock,” said Goselin. “This is a big loss. So unexpected and he was way too young.
“He was a very holy man, very humble, but who also had a great sense of humor, the kind that I like.
“He was full of sarcasm.”
Goselin, who said that Riley was aware of her tendency to startle easy, would often come down the stairs at the rectory while she worked with plenty of warning, although he would often, "with a mischievous grin on his face, said ‘I didn’t want to scare you, Judy, but I really did.’”
Flynn, who has been with the parish for 38 years, also spoke about Riley’s passion for religion, saying how Riley “loved the Eucharist.
“I will remember him for his faith, his love for his family, the Blessed Mother, and the Boston Red Sox,” said Flynn with a smile. “He used to drive me crazy with all the sports analogies.
“I just spent my whole weekend with the children of our program and they were also deeply moved by the passing of Father Riley.”
Calling hours for Riley are planned Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish, followed by a Liturgy of the Word Service.
His funeral mass will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Bernard’s, to be later interred at Saint John’s Cemetery in Worcester.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former chaplain of the Worcester Fire Dept. passes away at 63
