Warren H. Riles CFSP
FORESTVILLE — Warren H. Riles, CFSP, 79, of Main Street, Forestville, died Friday, March 20, 2020, at Gowanda Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, from metastatic esophageal cancer which was diagnosed in January 2019. Even though he was only there a week, he received excellent care from their staff.
He was born in Canonsburg, Pa., on Dec. 4, 1940, the son of the late James A. and Florence E. (Houston) Riles.
Mr. Riles was a graduate of Palmyra Macedon High School, class of 1959, a graduate of Syracuse University and a graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, class of 1968.
He was a licensed funeral director in both New York State and Pennsylvania and currently was president of Riles & Woolley, Inc., Forestville, which co-owns Riles & Woolley Funeral Home and Riles & Woolley Monuments.
He moved to Forestville on Jan. 20, 1969, purchased the former Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel in Forestville almost 50 years ago, on Dec. 15, 1970 and changed the name to Riles Funeral Home. Mr. Riles started Riles & Woolley Monuments in April 1989 with Mark Woolley and formed Riles & Woolley Inc. in 2001. He served as a Chautauqua County Coroner for 41 years, retiring on June 27, 2018, and served as chief coroner for the last nine years, where he participated with Starflight in numerous Mock DWI Crash Programs at many area high schools.
Mr. Riles was a member of many organizations including but not limited to; the National Funeral Director’s Association, the New York State Funeral Director’s Association, where he served on the board as a former Super Region A Director, past member of the Budget & Finance Committee, Family Assistance Commission and Ad Hoc Committee, the Director’s Choice Credit Union serving as secretary/treasurer, the Chautauqua County Funeral Director’s Association, where he served as president for many years, a member of Erie Lodge 22 IOOF, Hanover Masonic Lodge 152 F&AM, Forestville, the Chautauqua County Police Chief’s Association, the American Guild of Organists, the Sons of the American Revolution, Newtown Battle Chapter and was currently president of the Forestville Cemetery Association.
He was a past member of the Chautauqua County Emergency Medical Services Council for 30 years, the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners, where he served as first vice president and was an exempt member of the Forestville Fire Department, where in the early 1970s he served as captain of the Rescue Squad and donated a hearse to be used as the first ambulance. Mr. Riles also served on many boards for the former Village of Forestville and was a member and past president of the original Forestville Band Boosters.
Survivors include a brother, James G. (Beverly) Riles, of Bloomfield, N.Y.; three nephews and two nieces. Also surviving are special friends: Mark, Ann, and Lynanne Woolley of Forestville, Michael Woolley of Chicago, Ill., and Matthew, Lindsey, Jason, Bryan and Madalynn Ellis of Fredonia.
Visitation and a memorial service for the public will be held at a later date when restrictions for funerals and public places are removed. Private funeral services were held Sunday and private interment will be in the Forestville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Forestville Fire Dept. Emergency & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences and share memories, go to www. rilesandwoolleyfuneral home.com.