Brian Paul Riordan

Brian Paul Riordan, 66, of Coventry, Connecticut died unexpectedly of heart failure on September 1, 2016. He was born the third of four sons, in Springfield, MA on September 17, 1949, to Edward Riordan (d. 1996) and Evelyn (Hnizdo) Riordan who predeceased him by 2 months. He graduated from Enfield High School (EHS), class of 1967, then attended the University of Notre Dame for one year before taking a hiatus to work. He resumed his education at the University of Connecticut, graduating with a degree in Natural Resource Conservation in 1974. Following college, he relocated to Mission Viejo, CA returning east shortly thereafter to marry Linda Williams (EHS ‘74) in September 1980. The couple honeymooned by driving across the country to their new home in Mission Viejo. In CA Brian worked as a Radiochemistry Technician at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. In 1985 he and his family moved to Port Jefferson Station, NY where he was employed at Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant. In 1986 he and Linda purchased a home in Coventry where he became a full-time Dad while Linda worked as a librarian.

Brian loved the outdoors and spent many days enjoying the river behind his home. He loved the beach and hiking with his sons, summiting all forty-eight 4,000-foot peaks in the White Mountains. He was a regular at the Falcon Ridge and New Bedford Folk Festivals, more recently becoming a volunteer. He kept in touch with the regular folkies, who could count on him to share his blanket. Above all, his passion was his children. Brian loved every minute of being a dad. He showed his love by helping his sons with home renovations, yard work, or auto repair, seizing every opportunity to spend time with them.

Brian is survived by his sons, Dylan Riordan and his wife, Elizabeth Gibbings, and Dustin Riordan and his partner Elizabeth Clark and his good friend and former spouse, Linda Williams; his three brothers and their wives, John and Gail Riordan, Michael and Donna Gerardi Riordan and Charles and Cynthia Riordan; Linda’s family, especially Denise and Mickey Limberger. He leaves 10 nieces and 4 nephews as well as their spouses and children, and his beloved cat, Scooter.

A memorial service will be held at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte 195) Willimantic, CT on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Bedford Whaling Museum or the Appalachian Mountain Club. Brian will be sorely missed. 

 Service Information