Rodney “Rod” Mark Riviello, 69, of Plymouth (previously Clyde, New York), died unexpectedly on June 18. Rodney was born in Lyons, New York, the son of Forley and Dorothy Saiers Riviello, on July 7, 1954. When he was a young child, his family moved to Brooklyn where he attended school before moving back to Clyde, where he graduated from Clyde High School in 1972. He worked 10 years for Conrail before finding his passion as a meat cutter. Many of his 40 years in this field were at the meat counter at Losons in Lyons, and at Tops Friendly Markets, where his customers and coworkers became good friends.
Rod was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He married Julie Robert on Sept. 30, 1978. He was the loving father of Michelle Norris (Patrick) of Boxborough, and Daniel (Michael Warburton) of Provincetown, and Papa to Robert and Reese Norris. He is survived by his siblings, Carole Sharp and Donald Riviello (both of Clyde) and inlaws Mike and Jackie Robert, Chris and Dan Harter, Anne and Scott Hewitt (all of Rochester, NY) and Jill Robert and Larry Swan, of Newark, NY). His surviving nieces, nephews and friends are too numerous to mention. All of them brought his life humor, joy and proud moments.
He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Melvin and Robert Riviello, and inlaws Liz Riviello, Paul Sharp, Phyllis Riviello, and John Robert.
Rodney was a kind man who loved the simple things, like spending time with family, reading his daily newspaper, watching game shows, and rooting for the New York Yankees. He had an extensive autograph collection that he loved showing off to anyone who came by the house, and there was no “dad joke” too lame for him to tell you with a smile. He coached our youth sports teams, rarely missed a cheerleading competition for Michelle or a tennis match for Dan, and followed the score of every Clyde-Savannah football game. He rooted not only for his kids, but for the community of Clyde which he loved so much for 50-plus years.
His family would like to thank the Plymouth Police Department and countless others who worked tirelessly to bring him home to rest. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Plymouth Police Relief Association, 20 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA, Attn: Officer Alex Smolinsky, or to Clyde-Savannah Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 190, Savannah, NY, 13146.
Please join Rod’s family for a casual celebration of his life any time from 12 to 3 p.m., on Sunday, July 7, at Lauraville Landing Park in Clyde, NY.