Tributes have been paid to a dedicated Lion who was a gentle, family man.
Tom Riley lost a two-year battle with kidney cancer on April 25, at home in Stamford with his wife of 45 years Maureen by his side. He was 70 years old.
A member of Stamford and District Lions for 33 years, Tom was responsible for the talking newspaper, which enables visually impaired people to be able to access the Mercury.
Even when he didn’t assist the team of volunteer readers in recording articles from the Mercury, first to casettes and then to memory sticks, he helped to distribute it 51 weeks a year until ill health prevented him from doing so.
He was also a loving husband to Maureen, as well as stepfather to four children, grandfather of seven and, more recently, great grandfather of two.
Paying tribute, his family remembered him as someone who took an interest and a great deal of pleasure in all of their achievements, no matter how small, “always there with advice and support”.
His family also described him as a “gentle man” who would help anyone out if they needed it.
Born and…
