Riordan, Walter

Walter Riordan

November 18th, 1944 – August 30th, 2014

Walter was the son of John Leo Riordan, Sr. and Katherine Kerwin Riordan. He was born on November 18, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. Walter was one of nine children: Tom, Richard, John, Mary Kay, Ann, Terry, Bob and Billy. He attended public and parochial schools in Montclair, New Jersey graduating from Montclair High School in 1962. He was the starting safety on the 1961 MHS Varsity Football Team that was undefeated and State Champions. After attending St. Martin College in Lacey, Washington, St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York, Villanova and Fordham Universities, he joined the Marine Corps. He was a member of Platoon 193 at Parris Island, SC and served in Vietnam with 1st Battalion 4th Marines as an 81s Mortarman from December 4, 1967, to December 23, 1968. Walter fought in the Battles of Con Thien and Khe Sanh. After serving in the Marine Corps, he became a municipal bond salesman. While living in New York City for many years, he never lost interest in his hometown of Montclair. His letters to the Montclair Times were often controversial but always well intentioned. Walter never married but he has thirteen nieces and nephews who were very dear to him.