Richard J. Riordan, formerly of Chatham, passed away on Friday May 28, 2021.
Born on February 12, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY to John Leo Riordan, Sr. and Katherine Kerwin, Richard grew up in Montclair, NJ with his brothers and sisters, Tom, John, Mary Kay, Walter, Ann, Terry, Bob and Billy.
After graduating from Montclair High School in 1959 Richard went on to the University of Notre Dame and the Fordham University School of Law.
Richard and Leslie (nee Lippincott) began their journey as husband and wife in 1966, crossing the country in Leslie’s ’62 VW Beetle on their way to Camp Pendleton in California. Richard was on active duty as a Captain in the US Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969. He left the Marines in 1969 and returned to Northern New Jersey with Leslie before settling in Chatham in 1971.
A resident of Chatham for almost 50 years, Richard was active in the community, serving on the Planning Board, Board of Education and Shade Tree Commission. He was also involved in recreational sports, both for kids and adults, including the in-town baseball, basketball, and soccer programs, as well as Emanon in the men’s softball league.
Professionally Richard practiced as an attorney in NJ until his retirement in 2018, most notably with his two partners in private practice, Thomas Green and John Jasiniecki.
Richard was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Leslie Riordan; son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Leticia Riordan; son and daughter-in-law, William and Elizabeth Riordan; and three grandchildren, Joshua, Edward and Mary.
Funeral services are private and under the direction of BRADLEY & STOW FUNERAL HOME, Medford, NJ. The family plans to hold a remembrance in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org). (www.BradleyStow.com)
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