viewing
Viewing
Mass of Christian Burial
Phenizy P. Riley, 92 years of age, of Turnersville, New Jersey found comfort and peace on Friday, August 17, 2018. Phenizy was the fifth of 5 children born to Warren Henry Riley (1895-1983) and Rosa (Williams) Riley (1900-1929) of Savannah, Georgia. Phenizy passed away just a few weeks shy of his 93rd birthday (October10, 1925).Continue Reading
Phenizy P. Riley, 92 years of age, of Turnersville, New Jersey found comfort and peace on Friday, August 17, 2018. Phenizy was the fifth of 5 children born to Warren Henry Riley (1895-1983) and Rosa (Williams) Riley (1900-1929) of Savannah, Georgia. Phenizy passed away just a few weeks shy of his 93rd birthday (October10, 1925). He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Linda (Anderson) Riley (May 3, 2018); his sister, Florence (1919, as an infant); brothers, Henry (1989, age 69), Melton (2016, age 93); his half-sister Constance Riley Gil of Huntsville, Alabama. Phenizy leaves two siblings to mourn his death, Irene Riley Hart, age 94, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a half-sister, Barbara Riley Jones, of Toney, Alabama.
Phenizy, tall in stature, but a man of short quips that held powerful meanings, will live forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. “I have no love for hard work, but, I can do plenty of easy work.” was one of his most noted quips that we, as his family, found very hard to believe. His work history belied what he’d have one to believe. As a teenager, Phenizy worked in the Savannah Boatyard, became a bicycle repairman and a hardware salesman at Jensen Hardware Store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before enlisting in the United States Army, he was employed at the Philadelphia Shipyard.
Phenizy began his enlistment in the U. S. Army at Fort Dix, NJ on January 18, 1944, at the height of World War II. He served our country proudly as an Hv Truck Driver, Technician 5th Grade with the 3714th Quartermaster Trucking Company. His foreign services included Battles and Campaigns in Luzon, Phillipines in the South China Sea and in New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Phillipines Liberation Ribbon, and the WWII Victory Medal. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army on April 21, 1946.
Civilian employment for Phenizy began with the Penn Fruit Company, a Philadelphia supermarket that was known for its innovative marketing strategies. It was during this period of time that he met then married Daisy Walden on June 30, 1951. From their union a son, Phenizy Riley, Jr., who now resides in Fontana, California, was born.
Never one to enjoy idle time, Phenizy, along with his older brother, Melton, used their already honed farming skills and the knowledge of produce they had gained from their employment with Penn Fruit to boldly form a produce entrepreneurship. They would harvest produce grown/raised in the lush garden/farming areas of South Jersey and sell those freshly harvested fruits and vegetables to local residents of South Jersey and Philadelphia. Phenizy’s love of food even led him to become a weekend caterer for Philadelphia events.
Eventually, Phenizy became an assistant to his brother, Melton. Melton had become a landowner of many acres of Glassboro farm land. Phenizy, was just the perfect person to help him maintain, grow, and raise crops, in addition to, raising a variety of livestock.
In 1970, Phenizy and his new bride, Linda Ann Anderson (1941-2018) settled in Turnersville, NJ. To this union 3 sons were born: Darren Riley of Turnersville, NJ, Michael Riley of Turnersville, NJ, and John Riley of Deptford, NJ.
This migration to New Jersey made it convenient for Phenizy to continue his entrepreneurship, to raise his beloved sons, and to become a school bus driver in Washington Township.
His benevolence was well heralded. Another of his noted quips was exhibited by his fondness of bestowing $100.00 bills upon those in need and to those he loved. His quip, “A $100.00 bill will cure most ills and if there isn’t a cure, at least it will lessen the pain.” Even when there was no illness to cure or pain to lessen…somehow a $100.00 bill would be found in his wake…in your pocket…in an envelope under your keys…in a letter mailed to your college dorm…even in a baby shower card. His benevolence was more than monetary. He enriched, mentored, and enhanced the lives of his great grandchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all those that comprised his very inclusive family.
When there was time or space for him to focus on himself, Phenizy became a loyal Philadelphia Eagles football fan. Heated debates filled with plenty of advice for the coaches was the hallmark of his long distance calls each Monday to his sister, Irene. In his younger days he would travel on Saturdays to Dover, Delaware to cheer on the Delaware State College (University) Hornets football team. He also enjoyed listening to the music of Dan Hill, a Canadian pop singer. “Love of My Life, The Best of Dan Hill” (1999) was his favorite album/CD. Most significantly, in his later years, with the friendship and camaraderie of the mother and son duo, Dorothy and Darryl May, Phenizy became an avid fisherman.
Those of us who have survived his passing sadly mourn the loss of our family treasure:
Children Grandchildren/Great Grandchildren*
Betty Riley
Phenizy (Zelphine) Riley, Jr. Phenizy (Lakia) Riley, III Phenaysza*
Tanyisha Riley Jaden*
Darren (Anika) Riley Jahzara Riley Marley Riley
Michael Riley
John Riley (Jennifer Snow) Julian Riley
Sisters
Irene Riley Hart
Barbra Riley Jones
Nieces, Nephews, Cousins
A host of family members that spans the East Coast:
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC,
Virginia, Georgia, Florida. And the state of Texas.
Extended Family Members
Step Grand Children: Lamont, Chris, Kijana (California) Davina, Jason (New Jersey)
Step Great Grand Children: Brihana (New Jersey)
Dearest Friends to the Family: Daisy Riley (Camden, New Jersey) Alysha Riley (Camden, New Jersey
Miss Me, But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room, Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little-but not too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me-but let me go.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Friday, August 31st, 7:00 – 9:00 am and Saturday September 1st 9:15-10:15 am at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am at St. Charles Borromeo RC Church, 176 Stagecoach Road, Washington Twp. Interment Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.