Obituary of Laverne Keith Riley

LAVERNE KEITH RILEY  

May 14, 1949 - February 11, 2026

Passed away from heart attack at Campbellford Memorial Hospital on February 11, 2026 at the age of 76. Beloved husband of Rosa Myrna Riley (nee Bayaborda). Laverne is survived by his brother, Kenneth Riley (Liz), nephews, Tony Riley (Renee), Chris Willits (Laura) and niece, Tracy Riley.  He was pre-deceased by his older brother, Ron Riley. 

Laverne was born on March 14, 1949 in Clinton, Ontario .  His parents were Percy Riley  and Elizabeth Webster.  To acquire grade school education, Laverne walked 10 miles round trip to attend an elementary school with only one-classroom and one teacher for all grades. While he was in high school, his dad suffered a massive heart attack that caused the loss of their  farm that forced the family to relocate to Goderich, Ontario where Laverne finished his secondary education.  For college, Laverne moved to London, Ontario to attend Teachers College at the University of Western Ontario.  To support himself, he worked as assembler & mechanic of 2-seater airplanes at Ron Riley Aero Ltd. in Grand Bend, Ontario.  This experience helped him land a position in Canadian Tire after college.  After a few years as manager in Canadian Tire’s Thompson, Manitoba branch, he got hired by Ontario Power Generation in the Bruce Peninsula Nuclear Generation Station then later got relocated to OPG’s Darlington Nuclear Station in Bowmanville where he worked until his retirement. 

Laverne’s first marriage was to Joan Angus in 1970.  They were together for 35 years until Joan’s death from cancer in 2005. 

In January 2006, Laverne met  Rosa Myrna who he fell in love with at first sight. He courted her until he won her heart and married her  on May 3rd, 2006. Laverne and Myrna shared a blissful marriage filled with love, devotion and respect.  They enjoyed exciting and educational adventures through extensive travels during winters and spent idyllic summers cultivating Myrna’s “piece of paradise” garden and their Hosta La Vista business. 

Laverne’s passion was reading. He always carried a book with him, spending every available spare time to reading. He usually finished a book in 3 days. His other passion was watching movies. As soon as he received his social insurance card, he got himself a job in a movie theater so he could watch movies for free while earning money at the same time. 

Laverne was gifted with creativity.  He built a canoe, potting shed, bird feeders, butterfly and bat shelters.  In 2005, Laverne single-handedly rebuilt his Norwood home after it was gutted by fire.  While recovering from open heart surgery in 1999, Laverne discovered his artistic talent and delved in drawing and painting that won him some prizes at the Norwood Country Fair . 

Laverne was a kind and thoughtful person. He was always positive about everything and everyone.  He loved the Lord and lived as a true Christian in word and deed.  

As per his wishes, Laverne’s  remains had been cremated. Inurnment will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery in Havelock, Ontario on June 14, 2026.   There will be Mass at St. Paul’s  Church in Norwood at 10:30 am to be followed by a Celebration of Life with tributes, eulogies and musical performances that will take place in Myrna’s garden on 40 Victoria Street, Norwood. 

Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or St. Paul’s Catholic Church (Norwood, ON) by visiting www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 705-639-5322.