Peter J. Riordan

Peter Joseph Riordan, 88, of Sutton, MA, and North Conway, NH, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, at UMass Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Peter (Dad, Grampy, Great Grampy, and Coach) was happiest being with family, particularly his ten grandchildren. Many of his favorite moments in life were spent with them, including teaching them to ski at Cranmore Mountain, taking them hiking on Mount Wachusett, teaching his grandsons to play hockey, and proudly attending their many activities. But perhaps most of all, Peter loved to simply sit around the kitchen table, talking and enjoying his family’s company.

Peter’s home in North Conway, New Hampshire, was truly his happy place, and is where he and his wife Mary shared many wonderful years together. Being in the White Mountains, he spent countless days hiking, biking, and skiing. Peter especially enjoyed being part of the Golden Gliders, a group he skied with until the age of 86. He loved people coming to visit and was always eager to make them some of his famous blueberry pancakes.

Peter had many interests that kept him young at heart. He was an avid reader and always savored a great mystery novel. He relished the challenge of completing the New York Times crossword puzzle - always in pen. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes, and he continued to play 18 holes with family and friends for as often as he could. He was a devoted hockey fan and enjoyed cheering on the Boston Bruins. His love of the game led him to coach Framingham Youth Hockey for more than 20 years, proudly leading two teams to state championship victories. His calm, thoughtful approach to coaching made a lasting impression on the many young players he worked with throughout the years.

Peter grew up in Framingham and graduated from Framingham High School in 1955. He went on to graduate from UMass Amherst in 1960 with a degree in civil engineering. In 1961, he graduated from U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy. He later earned a master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with a focus on geotechnical engineering and groundwater hydrology. He was a lifelong member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and worked for Goldberg and Zoino Consulting Engineers for several years before starting his own private consulting business. He continued his consulting work until he retired at the age of 73.

Peter leaves his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary (Sullivan); his four children, Bill Riordan and his wife, Tracey, of Upton; Kate McGonagle of Charlton; Meg Garvey and her husband, Matthew, of Sutton; and Patrick Riordan and his wife, Alexandra (Lex), of Hamilton; his ten grandchildren, Ryan Garvey and his wife, Andrea; Brendan Riordan; Connor Garvey; Liam Garvey; Kayla Riordan; Norah Garvey; Bridget McGonagle; Nolan McGonagle; Francis Riordan; and James Riordan; and his two precious great-granddaughters, Maeve and Eleanorah Garvey. He also leaves many cousins in the Worcester area. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Sarah Riordan of Framingham; his brother, William; and his in-laws, Jeremiah and Nora Sullivan of Worcester.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Peter’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Thursday, Oct. 8th from 4 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury. 

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 9th at 11 a.m. in St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 356 Boston Road, Sutton with burial to follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter's memory may be made to the Herren Project, P.O. Box 131, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or online at herrenproject.org/donate