Jeffrey C. Riley

Jeffrey C. Riley, 64, peacefully passed away on May 30, 2025. Born on April 18, 1961, in Toledo, Ohio, he was the beloved son of Everett and Diane (Carter) Riley.

A proud graduate of E.L. Bowsher High School, class of 1979, Jeff pursued his passion for helping others and community service as a firefighter with Sylvania Fire EMS from 1984 to 1985. His dream of becoming a firefighter for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department came true in 1985. As a firefighter, paramedic, and “River Rat” on the rescue dive team, Jeff's career was marked by his unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for the profession until he retired as a Lieutenant in 2017. Even after retiring, Jeff continued his service as a Fire Inspector with the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. To those who had the pleasure of working alongside him, he was often revered as a passionate fireman, a loyal comrade, a humble leader, a caring mentor, a supportive brother, and an uplifting friend.

In addition to his firefighting career, Jeff owned and operated Sylvania Super Wash, a car wash business, from 2008 to 2022. After retiring, he relocated to Dundee, Michigan, where he fulfilled a lifelong dream by establishing Riley’s Christmas Tree Farm. There, he cherished the time spent with his family, nurturing 10 acres of land and planting Christmas trees. He envisioned creating a place where families could experience the magic of Christmas, and he found immense joy in providing the tree that families would take home and gather around on Christmas morning.

Jeff was a man whose life was defined by his unwavering pride and dedication to his family. As an extraordinary father to his three children, Rachel, Brian, and Stephanie, he was a pillar of strength and wisdom, always there to guide and support his children with unconditional love. He instilled an everlasting love for family traditions, taught the value of hard work by example, and ensured his kids had good taste in music. As a devoted grandfather, he adored every moment spent with his grandchildren, especially playing on his farm, dressing up like superheroes, taking the kids for rides on his tractors, antique fire truck, and ATVs, and always showing up in the moments that matter most. His legacy of love and devotion will live on in the cherished memories of his family, lasting a lifetime.

Jeff’s hobbies and passions were a testament to his adventurous, fun-loving, and curious spirit even from a young age. He found joy in traveling the world on ski trips and vacations with friends and family, reading anything but fiction, woodworking, ATV trips, water sports and scuba diving, biking, home renovation projects, tinkering in his barn, and sharing random facts that always leave you wondering. His sense of humor was equally remarkable. He had a knack for finding the funny side of any situation, his jokes were legendary always bordering on inappropriate, and his laughter was infectious.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Diane (Carter) Riley, and his nephew Andrew Mayberry. Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia; his son, Brian Riley (Jamie); daughters, Rachel Macedonia (Anthony) and Stephanie Howman (Chad); grandchildren, Eloise, Patrick, Everett, Alain, Summer, Conner, and Sierra; sister, Linda Mayberry (Andy); nephew, Austin Mayberry (Whitney); uncle Roland Carter; stepchildren, Sebastian Corser, Brianne Humphrey, and Kennedi Humphrey; and his beloved and loyal pup, Regan.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio’s Virginia Clifford Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Northwest Ohio in memory of Jeff.

Visitation hours for Jeff will be at Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave, Toledo, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Last Alarm Ceremony at 7:00 p.m.

A drive-by processional passing Toledo Fire and Rescue stations 5 and 17 will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. Anyone who wishes to participate can do so by viewing from Station 5 or Station 17. 

Following the procession, a celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at The Blarney Irish Pub, 601 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43604, at 1:00 p.m.