Francis W. Riley, age 89, of North Utica, passed away at home on Thursday, January 21, 2010 after a year's illness. Born in Utica on August 12, 1920, Francis was the son of Frank and Eileen Gaffney Riley. He graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School and the Excelsior School of Business and became employed by Otis Elevator Company. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. On January 6, 1951, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Francis married Mary Dyer, a blessed union of 59 years. Francis worked for Otis Elevator Company for 42 years, retiring in 1985 as District Maintenance Supervisor. He was a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic Church, having served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He belonged to the American Legion Charles H. Adrean Post 675 and was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. Francis is survived by his wife, Mary, and four children and their spouses, Patricia and John Ambrose, Arlington, VA, Margaret Riley and Dan Rosa, Burke, VA, Kathleen Riley and Dan Ebeling, Washington, DC and Michael and Joy Riley, Kensington, MD. He leaves five grandchildren, Christine Ambrose and her husband Scott Battocchi, Jessie Ambrose, Mary Margaret Ambrose, Tyler Riley and Margaret Riley. Also surviving are his in-laws, William and Joan Dyer, Sauquoit, Dr. James and Madeline Dyer, New Hartford, Michael and Deborah Dyer, Whitesboro, Geri Dyer, Marietta, GA and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by two sisters and their husbands, Julia and Robert Ebner and Eileen and William Hutchinson and in-laws John Dyer and Joan and George Foley. The family would like to thank Dr. James O'Malley and is grateful to the entire staff of Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. especially acknowledging Kathy and Bonnie for their outstanding care and concern for the family. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Road, North Utica. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 25 at St. Peter's church at 10:30 am.. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Peter's Cemetery. For those wishing to do so, in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice & Palliative Care Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413 or St. Peter's Church Memorial Fund, 422 Coventry Ave., Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home