Leroy Riva

EAST CANAAN — Leroy Riva, 84, a lifetime resident of Canaan, died peacefully on Dec. 29, 2014. Leroy was the loving husband of the late Rose Marie Riva and a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was co-owner of C.A. Lindell and Son for more than 60 years and an active and visible member of the local community.The son of Edith and Russell Riva, Leroy was born at the Canaan Hospital on Aug. 18, 1930. He graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1949.  Leroy’s father, who had come from Italy, started out as a carpenter specializing in building barns. He and his wife, Edith, purchased C.A. Lindell and Son, which was started in the late 1800s. Leroy began working at the family business in 1942 at the age of 12, behind the old wooden counter that the community loved so much. He greeted customers by name, with a big smile and a friendly “Hello,” making sure they left the store satisfied. Under his guidance, C.A. Lindell entered the 21st century with a state-of-the-art full-service home center. Leroy loved supporting local causes. He would routinely purchase a multitude of tickets for fundraising dinners and hand them out to everyone he knew. He was scoutmaster of Troop 22 in North Canaan for many years, and also sat on the Connecticut River Council for the Boy Scouts of America. He worked closely with Camp Workcoeman, donating equipment and assisting in rebuilding the Boy Scout Camp in New Hartford, Conn. He was a member of many local organizations, including the Canaan Exchange Club (35 years), Canaan Northwest Lions Club, VFW Post 6851, Northwest Connecticut Rod and Gun Club, Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, Canaan Fire District, St. Joseph’s Cemetery Association, a life-time member of the Knights of Columbus, and a founding member of the Canaan Foundation.Leroy was a Korean War veteran. He trained at Fort Knox, Ky., and served as sergeant (E-5) in Company B-86th Heavy Tank Battalion at the base of Mount Fuji, Japan. He was predeceased by his wife, Rose Marie (Testa) Riva. He is survived by his brother, Russell “Teter” Riva and his wife, Carole; his children, Robert and his wife, Charmaine, Buddy and his wife, Pam, and Leann and her husband, George; his grandchildren, Tiffany Allyn, Cagney Riva, Tyler Riva, Cody Riva, Reva Viola, Nicole Viola and Alexander Riva; and his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jillian, William and Charlotte Allyn.Calling hours are Friday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Newkirk Palmer Funeral Home in North Canaan. Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in North Canaan. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The VFW will honor Leroy’s life with a reception immediately following the interment; the public is invited.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canaan Foundation, P.O. Box 823, North Canaan, CT 06018; Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, P.O. Box 255, North Canaan, CT 06018; or VFW Post 6851, P.O. Box 913 North Canaan, CT 06018.