Pat V. 'Coach'
Riera
Hartford Courant
RIERA, Pat "Coach" V., 79,
of Plainville, passed away at Plainville Health Care Center on Thursday,
(March 9, 2006) from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was the beloved
husband of Marguerite Blackmore. He was born in New Britain on April 4,
1926, to the late Vincent and Delores (Sendra) Riera.
Pat was a legendary basketball player and coach.
He started his sports career as a star for the New Britain High teams from
1942 to 1944 winning All State honors and All-New England honorable mention.
After high school, he served his country in the
U.S. Army from 1943 to 1944 during World War II in the Pacific Theater
as a Drill Sergeant.
Following his wartime service, he returned to his
passion of basketball earning the title as the Most Valuable Player
while on the Varsity Basketball team at Arnold College.
After his time at Arnold, he began his coaching
career that lead to championships and success year after year during which
he completed his Masters Degree from Springfield College. Coach started
with fine teams at Plainville High, with the Blue Devils winning
two Class M Titles in 1959 and 1961 and were runner-ups on two other years.
On two occasions they had two 29 game winning streaks. They also won four
Central Valley Conference Titles and one Colonial League Championship.
For his accomplishments, Pat was inducted into
the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall-of-Fame
in 1991. Through the years, Pat was also the head coach for New Britain
High and was inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall-of-Fame
on March 7, 1996. He also enjoyed several years in college coaching as
the Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach at Central Connecticut State University.
He is dearly loved by his family, many friends
and especially the students who still fondly remember him as "Coach".
Besides his loving wife Marguerite, Pat leaves
behind his son, Michael Riera, his wife Megan and their two children Lucia
and Sam Riera of Berkeley, CA; his son, Peter Riera, his wife Lisa and
their three children Patrick, Stephen and Daniel Riera of Southington,
his son, Timothy Riera of New Haven; his step-son, Peter Hindle and his
wife Erica of Rocky Hill; David Sorel, who he loved like a son, and his
wife Barbara of Southington; and his brother, Vincent Riera of Plainville.
He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" (Wellin) Riera and his
brother, John Riera.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March
13, at 9 a.m. from Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St, Plainville, for a
Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Burial
will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Family and friends may gather on TODAY
from 2 - 6 p.m at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to CT
Chapter of APDA, 27 Allendale Dr., North Haven, CT 06473.
