Denis E. Riker

April 12, 1940 - November 25, 2015

Albany-Denis E. Riker passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015 with loving care of Reagan House for the Center for Disability Services and Community Hospice. He was born in Yonkers, NY on April 12, 1940. As an infant he had pneumonia and then cerebral palsy. He was the son of the late Ellis and Isabelle Riker who were founders of the Cerebral Palsy Center, now the Center for Disability Services. Denis learned to walk and talk at the Buffalo Children’s Hospital and the Wichita, KA Institute of Logopedics. He was also resided at the Rome and Wilton Developmental Centers. He attended Philip Livingston Junior High School. Denis worked at The Center for Disabled Workshop. With constant and striving care of his parents, he enjoyed bowling, archery, miniature golf, hooked rug making, horseback riding, music, dancing and swimming. He was a lifelong, dedicated New York Yankee fan. Although he had a severe hearing loss and became blind, Denis was known for his ready smile and sense of humor. He enjoyed the Center’s Senior Program & Clover Patch Summer Camp. He loved family celebrations with his brothers, David (Marie) Riker of Albany and Tom (Carol) Riker of Vista, CA and his 15 nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:45 pm in the Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell Street, Albany, NY 12208. Burial will be with his deceased parents at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 2501 Troy- Schenectady Road, Niskayuna, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Denis’s family Wednesday morning before the Mass, 11:15 am to 12:45 pm in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to The Center for Disability Services, 314 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.