Sidney Earl Riley

RAMSAY, Mich. - "Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, singers of songs." -Pam Brown

Husband and most importantly, father, Sidney Earl Riley, 86, of N10476 Belmont Dr., Ramsay, passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, at his home. He was a part of what Tom Brokaw described as "The Greatest Generation," a generation that had a rendezvous with destiny. He was kind, gentle and supportive man to his children and grandchildren. He was much loved by his daughter and grandchildren and his presence will be missed.

Born on March 20, 1928, in Blackduck, Minn., he was the son of Sidney Earl Riley and Myrtle Mae Hamilton Riley. He then moved with his family to Marenisco, where he graduated from high school and, eager to be a part of what remained of the war effort, joined the U.S. Air Force for a three-year tour of duty in 1947. He received training at Keeler Air Force Base in Mississippi in the Air Training Command specializing in Airplane and Engine Mechanics and was trained as a pilot. He took pride in participating in the Berlin Air Lift and continued to speak in awe of the sight of tons of supplies being dropped on the city as he spoke of his experiences in the military years after. He was honorably discharged in February of 1950.

After his discharge, he married his long-time friend and neighbor from across the street, Beverly Ann Cox. In the following years, Sid worked as a lumberjack and a miner, but tiring of the life of a miner, he went back to school and became a certified welder and joined Local 111 and worked as a pipe fitter at plants across the Midwest until his retirement in 1989. He was a skilled and respected tradesman. A proud member of the Ironwood Masonic Lodge, he achieved high ranking as a Mason. He enjoyed fishing, reading and working in his garage, tinkering with all of his tools and machines.

His daughter, Barbara Lake, of Mapleton, Minn., and three grandchildren, Corey Lake, of Ashland, Wis., Devra Lake and her son, Bennett, of Ramsay, and Sgt. First Class Jenna M. Lake, of Grovetown, Ga., survive him.

His parents; his beloved wife, Beverly, on May 27, 2008; a daughter, Michelle, in 1957; and a son, Timothy, in 1961; preceded him in death.

No funeral service is scheduled at this time.

Interment will take place at a later date in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Wakefield, and Jerald Rocco, owner-manager. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.