Douglas Westfield Riley

It is with sadness that the Riley family announces the peaceful passing of Douglas Westfield Riley in his 84th year at the Stratford General Hospital on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 after battling complications of congestive heart failure.

 

Doug taught elementary school for 37 years, beginning his career when he was 17 in a one-room school at Number 2 Blanford near Woodstock. Due to a teacher shortage at the time, he was able to take summer courses and teach for two years before going to Stratford Teachers’ College in 1958. 

 

Upon graduation, he headed to the big city and taught for 10 years in Scarborough and Ajax. 

 

Doug was a country boy at heart so, in 1968, he and his young family returned to Huron County, bought his little farm south of Winthrop and he finished his teaching career in 1993, spending many rewarding years at Hullett Central Public School in Londesborough.

 

Doug had a great love for horses and during his life he was involved with almost every facet of the equine business from showing to gaming, farrier work, breeding and when that became too much for him he hired a trainer and got into standardbred racing.

 

Besides his interest in horses, Doug was a good athlete who enjoyed playing and watching baseball, hockey, curling and golf. He loved to play euchre and cribbage with friends and looked forward to his winter vacations in Pompano Beach, Florida.
He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara, children Kim (Dean) Ellerbrock, Orchard Park, New York and Greg, Waterloo, Ontario and stepchildren Lori (Jan) Giec, London and Mark (Heather) Livermore, Exeter. He was the proud Papa of Mackenzie and Sam Ellerbrock, Maddi, Ryder and Charlie Livermore and Jordyn and Kelsee Giec. His furry friend Rosie is lost without him
Doug was predeceased by his parents Mary (1996) and Frank (1985) Riley; mother of his children Norma (1991); sister Grace (2020) and brother-in-law Bob Woods (2023) and daughter-in-law Julia (2019)

 

At Doug’s request, cremation has taken place.

 

A casual celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 1-4 p.m. at his home at 81457 North Line, Huron East. A short tribute is set for 3 p.m. Friends and neighbours are welcome to join Doug’s family to celebrate a life well lived.

 

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Canadian Lung Association or the Kidney Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes - Clinton.