DIXFIELD — Robert Riley Jr. was remembered by his fellow firefighters Thursday as a “great guy with a great personality.”
Riley, who has served with the Dixfield Fire Co. as a volunteer firefighter since October 2008, died unexpectedly of natural causes at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston on Monday evening.
Dixfield Fire Chief Scott Dennett said that Riley was very active within the Dixfield Fire Co. over the eight years he served, “doing everything from interior firefighting to exterior operations.”
He said that when Riley purchased M/T Pockets Inc. of Dixfield a few years ago, he became less active.
“However, many times, his business as a towing company worked hand-in-hand with us,” Dennett said. “If we were on an accident call, sometimes he would be there on scene, pulling double duty as a firefighter and a towing and recovery employee. We worked very well together.”
Dennett remembered Riley as “one of those guys who would do anything for you, if he could.”
“He was always in good spirits, and was very helpful,” he added. “He’ll be sorely missed within the Dixfield fire community. It’s a great loss to us, and an even greater loss to his family.”
Dave Hodgson, who owned M/T Pockets Inc. before Riley purchased it, said that Riley was “the nicest person you could ever ask to be friends with.”
He added that he is assisting at M/T Pockets Inc. for the time being.
Barry Prescott, who serves as a captain at Dixfield Fire Co., said that Riley was always eager to get involved in anything.
“It didn’t matter whether it was glorious or not,” he said. “If you needed help with something, he’d be there in a heartbeat.”
Prescott began working at the Dixfield Fire Co. in 2006, two years before Riley. He said they both had mechanical backgrounds and “spoke the same language” in that respect.
“I love Bob as the brother he is,” Prescott said. “We are brothers in the fire service and brothers in life. We thought alike, have the same values and ideals. We could ask anything of each other knowing that the other was all in no matter the need. Together we would do anything for the fire company.
“I will miss Bob more than words can describe and I am sure tomorrow or next week all the stories will flood into my head, however at the moment my mind is in turmoil,” he said. “I still can’t believe he is gone.”
Riley was also a member of the American Towman Association, enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was a member of the local all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile clubs.
A service was held at 11 a.m. at Wiles Funeral Home, followed by a procession from the funeral home to Greenwood Cemetery.
mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net
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