The Father George F. Riley, O.S.A. By Madonna Sutter, Director of Advancement
Fund for Augustinian HealthCare
T
he Province of St. Thomas of Villanova is pleased to announce the re-naming of the Augustinian Fund for the Care of Elderly and Infirm Friars to the Fr. George F. Riley, O.S.A. Fund for Augustinian HealthCare. This newly
named fund will continue to support friars who are elderly or in need of special care, many of whom are members of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery on the campus of Villanova University. It is fitting that we name this fund in honor of Fr. Riley, who spent almost his entire career of sixty years in ministry at Villanova University.
I
first met Fr. Riley when I worked in Villanova’s Alumni Office in 1994. Our offices were in the same building. Upon entering his office for the first time, I was in awe at the gallery of photos of Fr. Riley with U.S. presidents, dignitaries, celebrities, and sports icons. I knew I had met someone very special who would be my friend forever.
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As a faculty member and administrator, he was beloved by all who knew him and is held in high esteem by countless Villanova Alumni. His smile is infectious, his sense of humor is unique and to say he is one of a kind would be an understatement. He has also had a robust life outside of Villanova in his weekend ministry at the Jersey Shore where he would celebrate Mass for
