Watertown- The funeral for Horace M. “Sparky” O’Riley, 81, Harvard St., Watertown, will be 11 am Monday, March 18th at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Bruce Chapman officiating. Burial will be in North Watertown Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday, March 17th from 1 pm – 5 pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Sparky passed away Thursday, March 14th at the Samaritan Medical Center.

He was born in the Town of Orleans, January 23, 1932, a son of Carlton and Cora Murdoch O’Riley. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1950 and was a member of the 1950 New York State Section Three basketball championship team at Watertown High. Sparky was employed at the New York Air Brake Co. for 43 years retiring as machine shop Foreman in Department 2.

He married Sandra J. Barkley November 9, 1951. Mrs. O’Riley died June 18, 2004.

Sparky was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a charter member of the Jayhawkers Hunting Club in Jayville, NY. He enjoyed golf and played in leagues in the area. He and Sandra spent many summers on the St. Lawrence River at Breezy Pines in Clayton.

Spark is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Christina, and their children Cassandra and Kayla, Glen Park. Two daughters and their husbands, Erin and John Bremner, Watertown; Jill and Chris Fry, Three Mile Bay, and daughter Heather Hurtubis. A sister and brother-in-law, Mary and David Jones, Watertown. Many nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Berkman and three brothers, Roland Harlow, and Sheridan O’Riley.

Online condolences, to the family, may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.

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