Edmund Riley

Known as Eddie to his family and friends, he was born in Horsforth, Leeds, the son of Percy and Alice Riley. His father and uncle ran Horsforth's main firm of general builders of the day in Long Row, which had been founded before the First World War and also served the area as wheelwright, carpenters and undertakers until they retired after the Second World War.

Eddie Riley was educated at Horsforth National (St Margaret's) School, and Aireborough Grammar School from where he joined Phipps Charnley Insurance Brokers of South Parade, Leeds, to embark on a career as an insurance broker.

That career was interrupted by the Second World War when, in 1942 shortly after his 18th birthday, he was called up. Initially he joined the Rifle Brigade, serving with them for six months before transferring to the Royal Signals with whom he saw service in France after D-Day, and then in the post war occupation of Germany, until he was demobbed in 1948.

Mr Riley then rejoined Phipps Charnley and remained with them through his career as an insurance broker, becoming a director and partner in the firm. He also worked at Windsor Insurance, in Wakefield, prior to retirement, and was well known in Leeds insurance circles.

His sporting interests saw him join Horsforth Cricket Club, in the Airedale Wharfedale League, as a junior and he played there as a batsman into the 1960s.

His long association with the club culminated in his appointment as club president in January 1971, a position he held until November 1982.

For many years he was a season ticket holder at Leeds United, he regularly went racing at Wetherby and York, and he was also a member at Horsforth Golf Club.

Mr Riley had an older brother Clifford who was a former deputy head of Horsforth's Broadgate Lane School, and a sister, Olive Grange, both of

whom predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife Cath, his three children, Jill, Roger and Martin from his first marriage to Mary, and three stepchildren Charles, Richard and Ruth.

A funeral service will be held at Rawdon Crematorium next Thursday at 11.40 am.