John F. “Chuck” Riordan
October 27, 1942 - November 25, 2025
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Obituary for John F. “Chuck” Riordan
John F. “Chuck” Riordan, age 83 of Milton and Humarock, passed peacefully on Nov. 25th after a mighty fight against cancer. Raised in Brookline, he was the son of the late John Sr. and Phyllis (Geagan) Riordan. John is the beloved husband of Pamela (Pearce) Riordan for 50 wonderful years.
He is survived by his sister Sandra Gilman of Hopkinton, and sister-in-law Janet Smith of Lakeville. He was a cherished uncle to John Spencer and wife Pam of Plymouth, Ronald Spencer and husband Gerson of Marlborough, Dawn Spencer of Fairhaven, Jennifer Gilman, and Allison Dacey and husband Mark of Hopkinton. John was a great-uncle to Tyler Spencer and wife Stephanie; Ryan Spencer and wife Kellie, Shalyn Spencer and wife Sarah; Kevin Spencer, Eric, Danielle, and Katie Gammon; and Emma, Patrick, Ryan and Matthew Dacey. He is predeceased by his sister Donna Spencer and niece Nicole Gilman.
A proud member of Brookline High’s Class of 1960, he then graduated from Northeastern University and was a member of their 1963 undefeated football team which was inducted into the NU Athletic Hall of Fame. At UCLA, he earned masters degrees in business and physical education.
John was a longtime physical education teacher and football coach, first at Curry College, and then for 31 years at Milton High School where the strength and conditioning facility is named in his honor. He continued coaching football in retirement at Marshfield High for 20 more years. He had a positive impact on countless students, players, and fellow coaches as a mentor, role model, caring listener, and friend. He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be sorely missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, Milton Tuesday December 2, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Family and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Monday December 1, 2025, from 3-7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to The Pearce-Riordan Scholarship, 25 Giles Road, Milton, MA 02186.
Services
Visiting Hours
03:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 AM
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Tributes
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Maryellen Douglass Van Royen planted 5 trees in memory of John F. “Chuck” Riordan . - November 29, 2025
Condolences
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March 05, 2026
I know this is late, but I heard of the passing of the legendary football coach, Lou Holtz, and immediately thought of Chuckie Riordan. He had so many of the same attributes as Coach Holtz, but I knew Chuckie only as a man. I greatly admired his loyalty to his family and those whom he mentored. My sincere condolences to Pam, Sandy, and the entire Riordan family.May you rest in well-deserved peace, Chuck. Jeff Moreno and family
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December 01, 2025
To Pam and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you Pam. I'm so fortunate to have met you and Chuck and spending time with you both. The work you two on our family history is amazing and takes on a life of its own. I read it often. Joe Boumenot and family
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December 01, 2025
I have so many great memories of Mr. Riordan. He was my HS gym teacher at Milton High School in the late 70's. Mrs. Riordan was my biology teacher also at MHS. I adored both of them. Later on, while living in Marshfield, Coach Riordan was my son Bob's football coach. Thank you Coach Riordan for making such an impact in both of our lives. He was such a great man! Thoughts and prayers to you, Mrs. Riordan. Patricia Bryan MacNeil- and Bob
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December 01, 2025
We am blessed by the Riordan family. Coach Riordan shaped me and our MHS cohorts in the best way possible: with a mix of fun and enthusiasm, and strength and grit. I appreciate his wisdom: tough-as-nails and kind-as-can-be. You had to know he cared. He was always thinking of what was best for all of us (students, parents, teachers, staff, community, family, ...). I worked with him as often as I could, in 3 years of gym, track, and football. He and Pam found summer work for me and Brian Martin after our senior year to ensure we had a few dollars for college. Coach, I wish I visited you more often in past years and could be with you to celebrate your life at the wake, funeral, and remembrance. Albeit with human limitations (and living in California), I join you with love, spirit and prayer. Peace and love, - Paul ("Sid") Mitiguy
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November 29, 2025
Pam (& all who loved Chuck), I am so very sorry for your suffering. You and Chuck welcomed to me into your home for several Thanksgiving. And I felt like I was part of the family. I fondly remember the year Chuck made me put on his football jacket because my high school had battled his. He was so welcoming and funny. I know he will be missed by so many. What an incredible legacy he has left behind to the students and the players and the teachers and the coaches, and everybody whose lives he touched, including mine. Sending so much love to all of you. May the memories bring you comfort in the days ahead... Love Joanne Jarzobski (Ronnie's whale friend from Cape Cod)
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November 29, 2025
My deep and heartfelt condolences to 'Mrs Riordan" , MHS biology teacher, and friends and family. Coach Riordan was caring, compassionate, approachable, and a friend and a great teacher. He attended my first laparoscopy of my knee as it was a new technique in the 1980s and he was curious what it was all about. Hence, I gave him permission to be in operating room. It was a comfort to know he was there when I was put out and when I woke up. A fun memory stored in my heart since that day. He had a great laugh and I enjoyed his wisdom and friendship immensely. He will be missed by many. I regret I cannot attend his services in person. May he Rest in Peace. Hugs to Pam (Mrs. Riordan)
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November 29, 2025
I am deeply saddened at the loss of this wonderful man. We were classmates at Brookline High, and losing long-time friends and classmates is heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Chuck. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Chuck's family. May his memory be a blessing. Ronnee Task Bienstock
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November 28, 2025
Pam I am sorry for your loss, another great Brookline High graduate, and an outstanding coach and gentleman.!!
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November 28, 2025
Coach, mentor, friend, stripped rectangles, Oval tracks, square stacks of steel he helped shape my earlier years go in peace whistle in hand peace always ....... Pez
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November 28, 2025
Coach Reardon was such a wonderful human being and tremendous MENTOR to so many including me. I know he knew this but wish I let him know what a positive impact he had in my development as a young man when I had the opportunity. My sincere condolences to Mrs. Reardon and please know that our prayers are for you and John. Rich Gallagher (class of 1978)
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November 28, 2025
Pam, My deepest condolences on the passing of Chuckie. He was a wonderful person who everyone loved. May he have eternal peace. Carol Baughman
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November 28, 2025
So sorry to hear about Coach's passing. Love and prayers to Pam and his family, friends and students over the years. 💙💙💙🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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November 28, 2025
To Pam, Chukie was a very special person to us. My heart goes out to the Reardon Family. He was a great neighbor and friend to the Baughman family. Chukie always had a wonderful smile and his friendship was truly special to everyone he met. Our deepest sympathies, may he have eternal life The Baughman Family and Korrin Slavin
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