| Date of Birth | July 24, 2010 |
| Date Deceased | October 24, 2022 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | October 28, 2022 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home |
Riley Monroe Bentley
HORNELL-Riley Monroe Bentley, age 12, passed away peacefully, in his mother’s arms, on Monday morning (Oct. 24, 2022) at his home on North Main St. extension, after a lifelong illness.
Born in Hornell on July 24, 2010, Riley could light up a room with his smile. He loved his family and was always able to bring everyone together. Riley taught people more about life than anyone could possibly imagine. He especially loved curious George.
He is lovingly survived by his mother and stepfather, Cassie and Ben Feenaughty; his father, Nathan Bentley; one sister, Bryannah Bentley; two brothers, Brayden Feenaughty and Bentley Feenaughty; maternal grandparents, Monroe and Debbie Rosemier; paternal grandparents, Jennifer and David Bentley; his step-grandparents, Christopher and Julianna Feenaughty; several aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as special friends and caregivers, Michael Holtfoth, Judith O’Keefe and Amber Kossow.
Riley was predeceased by his best friend (from the same disease), Brooke Plumstead.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 27, 2022) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday (Oct. 28, 2022).
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his name to NTSAD (National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases), 2001 Beacon St., Suite 204, Boston, MA 02135, Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Riley’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Riley are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
Riley’s smile and the sound of his laugh will be in my heart forever. So grateful to have known him. xoxo
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Riley touched my heart the very first time I met him when I heard his precious laugh. Once you met him, you couldn’t help but love him. Rest In Peace little Riley. You will be missed. Love & prayers to the family.
May your hearts and souls find peace and comfort. Our hearts go out to your family during this time of sorrow.
I knew Riley since he was 5 months old! I even remember coming to one of his birthday parties, which is the only time I’ve ever been invited to one of my patient’s birthdays! He was such a special person, and I learned so much from him. It was a privilege being a part of his life all those years. I will always remember him and his beautiful smile.
May this beautiful little boy, Riley, Rest In Peace and continue to smile that great big wonderful smile down on all of his family. May he fly freely, pain free and watch over them all. We are thinking of you all during this difficult time. All our love Rich, Sue, Ashley and Richie
Whenever he would come into the hospital or came in with an issue with his feeding tube, he would light up the hospital room with his smile! Through his sickness, he was resilient and brought such joy to our healthcare teams and me as one of his doctors. I will keep that and him with me as I continue to take care of other children like Riley. My condolences.
Riles, my baby boy, Curtis and Lara Jill’s pride and joy. He was brought into my life by Jordana Holovach right around his first birthday. I was touched by his positive spirit. He reminds me of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; he was excited by the world and as eager to explore it as his body would let him, but also quite content to cuddle. He had difficulty connecting with others socially, but was so remarkably delighted to have a hand held. Indeed, he was so driven by tactile stimulation that he seemingly enjoyed any physical contact, and it’s been a joy to behold. It should be noted that he did everything he could to soothe himself in this regard. Riley was the baby of a family of a generation of kids with degenerative conditions who had the best chance at a full life because of better attitudes and better procedure execution. I was so delighted to find that he turned ten that I hastened to share with him things that I enjoyed that age. I tried to share with him people who loved him, and I know I did more without trying. I’m so pleased that I had the opportunity. I’m proud that he became a young man, but I’m proud of his spirit, too. I am so proud of my little Riley Bug. Thank you, Riley, for being a good boy. I love you, dude.
I loved him so much and considering I miss him so much his spirit is still with me