Passing of Southern California pitcher Les Riley
May 14, 2010
Burbank, CA
It is with deep sadness that I report to the Fastpitch community of the untimely passing of long time Southern california fastpitch pitcher Lester Charles Riley. Lester was known on the field by one of two nicknames, and he was always either called Les, or Moe, by his team mates, and his opponents.
It was reported to me by my Teammate Dave DeMaio that Les entered the 8:30 PM game for the Burbank Roofing Team at Robert Gross Park on Wednesday night. to pitch the third inning, Les was entering in relief of Gerald Pyle. After the third inning was over, Les came back to the dugout and allegedly complained of feeling light-headed. Les then suddenly collapsed, and he did not regain conciousness. Paramedics attempted to revive him, and he was rushed to St Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank. He was pronounced dead some time around 10 PM PST, to a stunned group of family, friends, teammates and softball buddies. He will be deeply missed by the sport.
It was opening night of the Spring / Summer session of the City of Burbank men's fastpitch League. Les had been a stalwart pitcher in the Burbank and Los Angeles Municipal fastpitch Leagues for decades. I personally had been competing against Les since the 1980s, and I have definitely pitch more games against Les, through the years, than any other pitcher. He was a great battler, and universally well-liked by everyone he came in contact with.
I had played in the earlier game on the same field. I had left the park, just before the time of the tragic incident. But I did say hello to Les, as I was exiting the First base dugout, as he was entering. I joked with Les for a moment, and laughingly said that "in this league, we would be probably be throwing our 350th game against each other". He laughed, I wished him well. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would ever speak to him. Please keep Les Riley and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Dave Blackburn
RILEY, LESTER CHARLES
February 3, 1946-May 5, 2010
Lester Riley was born on February 3, 1946 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Barbara and Frank Riley. He spent most of his childhood in San Diego, California, where he attended Lincoln High School. In addition to playing football for the Lincoln High Hornets, Lester also met the love of his life; his one and only wife, Yolanda (Yoggi) Riley. They married on November 1, 1964 and moved to Los Angeles where they had three children: Timothy Charles, Kimberly Danielle, and Tiffani Dawn. Lester and Yoggi renewed their vows in 1986 and have resided in North Hollywood for 46 years.
Lester was predeceased by his parents Barbara and Frank Riley, and daughter Kimberly. Lester is survived by his wife Yoggi, his children Timothy (Brenda), and Tiffani (Gene); grandchildren Matthew Charles, London Marie, Destiny Misty, Tyler Mitchell, Drew Francis Quinn; and one great-grandchild Angela Marie; sisters Sandra Bauer, Sharon Goodban, and Casey Amen (Jerry); brothers Michael Riley (Linda) and Mark Riley; along with numerous nieces and nephews..
Lester worked professionally in the auto body repair business in his younger years, and then as a residential/commercial painter in his later years. Lester loved his fishing, bird hunting, and golf. Lester also loved all his years of coaching Sr, Little League baseball up through American Legion baseball. His players were still in his current thoughts and comments after all the years. Lester was perhaps most known for his exploits on the diamonds of Fast Pitch Men’s Softball over the last 30 years and came to be known as Mo Riley. Mo pitched weekly in the Men’s Fast Pitch Softball League in Burbank, which is what he was doing on May 5th. After striking out the batter for the third out of the third inning, Lester suffered a heart attack in the dugout. Anyone who knew Mo knows that he passed playing a sport he loved. He will be greatly missed by not only his family but also by all the friends that were loved and touched by his life.
Memorial services will be Sunday May 23, 2010 at the Rancho San Antonio Boys Home located at 21000 Plummer St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Chapel prayers at 12:30 pm, Services at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rancho San Antonio Boys Home in honor of Lester “Mo” Riley.
