obituaries

Jeffrey F. Riva

Jeffrey F. Riva

MILLBROOK — Jeffrey F. Riva sadly passed away on March 15, 2025, at the age of 77. Known as “Pop” to his grandchildren, Jeff leaves an indelible mark created by a lifetime of strength, courage, boldness, love, adventure and humor. He was his own man and will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

Jeff was born in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 17, 1947, to Betty (Shaler) and Humbert Lewis Riva. He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School in Washington, D.C. He moved with his family to Short Hill, New Jersey in 1961. He graduated from Seton Hall Prep in 1965. He then graduated from Marist College in 1969. While attending Marist, he met the love of his life, Nancy Cutten, and they were married in June 1969. Together they raised three wonderful children in Staatsburg, New York, Jennifer, Jeffrey and Brian.

For 33 years, Jeff was an educator, coach and athletic director at Our Lady of Lourdes HS (1969-74) and Millbrook Jr./Sr. HS (1974-2002). Many of his student-athletes still stay in contact with him as well as many of his students. His humor and sharp wit were unmatched and will be remembered forever and bring smiles to friends and family as they continue to honor his life by living their lives fully and with courage. “Climb, though the rocks are rugged”

Jeff was predeceased by his parents; brother, John Michael; and sisters, Betty Jane and Suzanne.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Nancy; daughter, Jennifer, and son-in-law, Tom Mullen, and their sons, Joseph, Matthew and Tyler; son, Jeffrey, and daughter-in-law, Maureen Riva, and their children, Katie, Jake, Luke and Molly; and son, Brian, and Sarah and their son, Jack.

Jeff is also survived by his siblings, Barbara Coates and husband, John, Richard Riva and wife, Sharon, Rob Riva and wife, Nancy, Denning Riva, Mary Ann Martin and husband, Channing; brother-in-law, Ray Cutten and wife, Patricia; sister-in-law, Angela Riva; and numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, Jeff’s family requests that you make a memorial donation to your local SPCA, or Tunnels To Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org), or a charitable cause that you support.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet’s Funeral Home, Hyde Park. To send an online condolence, please visit Jeff’s obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.

obituaries

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
bike route

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
bike route

North East town records brought into the digital age

North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Correction: the Millerton News Street Fair was a collaborative effort between the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center.

MILLERTON — Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Keep ReadingShow less