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RILEY, BROTHER PAUL T., CFX -- Brother Paul T. Riley, C.F.X. (Brother Valentine), 93, died late Saturday evening, August 16, 2008 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton following an extended illness.
Born in Manhattan on Feb. 14, 1915, he was the son of the late Dennis and Katherine (Gleason) Riley. He was raised and educated in Lawrence and was educated by the Xaverian Brothers at St. Mary's School in Lawrence.
He then attended St. Joseph's Juniorate in Peabody from 1928-1932 and entered the Congregation of Saint Francis Xavier on January 7, 1932, taking the name Valentine. Brother received the holy habit on August 15, 1932 and took final vows on August 15, 1937.
Brother began his teaching apostolate at St. Xavier High School in Louisville, KY, but was perhaps best known for the years he spent as a teacher, coach, mentor, and surrogate father to young men at St. Joseph's Juniorate. After leaving the Juniorate after eighteen years in 1956, he went on to teach science and math at John Bapst High School in Bangor, ME, Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY, Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, Xavier High School in Middletown, CT, and St. John's High School in Shrewsbury.
Known as a great teacher, Brother Valentine was even more known for the care and compassion he had in shepherding young adolescents during their high school years.
The changes of Vatican II and religious life in the late 1960's and early 1970's did not sit well with Brother Valentine, and in 1972 he withdrew from the Congregation.
He married the late Lillian (Keaney) Harnish in the 1970s and taught until the time of his retirement at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. After the death of his wife and at the request of a number of friends and former students, Paul moved into Xaverian House in Danvers.
Being back with the brothers rekindled his love of the congregation and on Valentine's Day 2003, his birthday and feast day, he was readmitted to the congregation, proudly clothed with the religious habit and able to live out his last years with the community at Xaverian House.
Besides his brothers in religion, he is survived by a sister, Ruth McMahon, a step-daughter, Gayle Keaney of RI; a step-son, George Keaney of OH; a niece, Susan Riley-Ade of VA; and his dear friends, Jim and Pat McNeilly and their family.
Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 from 2:00 to 3:45 p.m. at the St. John's Preparatory School Chapel (Administration Building). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Prep Chapel immediately following the wake on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Xaverian Brothers' Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, Danvers. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brother's memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers' Retirement Fund at Xaverian Brothers, 4409 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229.

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