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Riley, Daniel J. of Lexington, MA, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2022. Beloved husband of Reina (Gingras) Riley. Loving father of Elena T. Riley of Lexington, MA and Yuri Daniel Riley and his wife Sarah of Bristol, CT. Devoted brother of Brian Riley and his wife Margaret of Swansea and sister Marilyn Riley of Brighton. He is survived by 4 grandchildren, Michael, Natasha, Kira and Mia and a nephew, Michael and niece, Karen. Lifelong friend of David and May Samour and Tom Kay. 

Dan served his country during the Vietnam Era as a member of the U.S. Army Field Band, during which he was a flutist and conductor. He played at Wez Johnson’s inauguration. 

A graduate of Boston University in 1964 with B.M. and 1968 with M.M. He divided his time between teaching and conducting. As music director of Mass Youth Wind Ensemble, he conducted concert tours of China, Russia, Japan and most European countries. One highlight was playing for and meeting with Pope John Paul II. Both shared their love of opera. As a composer, Dan composed a ballet “Alice in Wonderland”, which was performed by Boston Ballet. He also conducted for a time the Boston Youth Symphony Rep Orchestra. 

Dan possessed a commitment to the development of young talent and taught instrumental music in Wellesley, Brookline, Lincoln-Sudbury and 13 years in Lexington Public Schools. Additionally, Daniel Riley was a founding member of the James Pappoutsakis Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to encouraging promising flute players who are studying in the Boston Area. 

Dan lived a rich and accomplished life and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the James Pappoutsakis Memorial Fund, www. Pappoutsakis.org/mission and the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd. Waltham, MA 02452. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

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