Daniel J. Riley, Jr., 88, of Marshfield, MA passed away peacefully at home on the morning of March 28, 2024 with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Kathleen (Walsh) Riley and their five children; Patricia Donegan and her husband Stephen of Plymouth, MA and their children, Kathleen, Annemarie and Julie; Maura Callahan and her husband Joseph of Scituate, MA and their children Siobhan and Owen; Daniel P. Riley of Marshfield, MA; Sean Riley and his wife Vickey of Brunswick, ME and their children Nia and Nevin, and Erin McDonagh and her husband James of Pembroke, MA and their children Meabh, Aoife and Eamon. Also survived by his niece Carol Melson of Portland, OR and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Marrochello and niece Kristina Marrochello.

Danny was the son of Daniel J. Riley, Sr. and Nancy (Hickey) Riley. He was born and raised in Somerville, MA, Union Square to be precise. He was a proud graduate of Somerville High School. He served in the United States Army after high school. After his military service he attended the Peterson School of Engineering and worked for the Boston Edison Company for many years. He was a member of Local 369 Utility Workers Union of America. After retiring from the Edison, he began his favorite job which was as an Uber driver for his grandchildren. Danny was a familiar face at preschools and elementary schools in Scituate, Pembroke and Plymouth. He did countless pickups and drop-offs at soccer and hockey practices, Irish dance and music lessons, CCD classes, scout meetings and summer camps. Danny was affectionately referred to as "Papa Riley" to many of his grandchildren's friends. Danny and Kathy traveled with their children and grandchildren to New Hampshire and Maine every summer, as well as trips to Florida, South Carolina and Ireland over the years.

Danny met Kathleen Walsh at a dance at the Irish American Club in Everett, MA and the rest was history. They were married in September 1964 and lived in Dorchester and Somerville. They moved their family to Marshfield in 1971 and were truly blessed when they moved into the Silver Pines neighborhood. They made lifelong friends with Clip and Mickey Carr, Hugh and Lorraine France, Frank and Millie Bateman, Wayne and Carol Oxner, Bob and Perry Walsh, Al and Cathy Curran and Dave and Chris Polito. This group of friends called themselves the "Do Nothings," but they did quite a lot. They hosted countless neighborhood cookouts on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day, Halloween and Christmas parties, Thanksgiving Day brunches, camping trips to Peters Pond and New Hampshire, and weekends at the Frances' cottage in New Hampshire. Later the Do Nothings upped their travel game and took several trips to Europe together, as well as cruises and trips all over the U.S., including New Mexico, Portland, Oregon, Branson, Missouri, and Nashville. There were also numerous bus trips to Patriot's games in Buffalo, NY, and to Quebec City, Foxwoods and Tanglewood concerts. When they weren't traveling, they were planning their next trip during the monthly meeting of the Do Nothings.

Danny was the ultimate sports fan, especially Boston sports and particularly Larry Bird, Bobby Orr and Ted Williams. But he would watch any obscure sport on television during the dry season, after the Super Bowl and before spring training began. He spoke fondly of the Boston Braves and Red Sox games he attended with his father when he was a boy. He would marvel at how his grandchildren grew accustomed to Boston teams winning championships after enduring so many years of Boston sports fans' heartbreak. He was a talented football and baseball player in his youth, suffering several concussions and a broken nose, earning his nickname "Glue Fingers Riley" playing football.  Danny loved storytelling and jokes and was famous for his joke about "the kid that was born just a head…." He had an uncanny ability to give anyone a nickname that perfectly captured the person.

Danny was a devoted family man most of all; a loving husband, father, grandfather uncle, and friend. He will be remembered by many for his kindness, generosity, strong Catholic faith, gentleness, and sense of humor.

Visitation will be held at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street, Marshfield on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.   A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Christine's Church, 1295 Main Street (Route 3A), in Marshfield. Interment will take place immediately following the Funeral Mass in the Couch Cemetery, Union Street, Marshfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Christine's Church, Danny's faith home for over 50 years where he and his wife were active parishioners who were involved in various ministries over the years.