Joseph Patrick Riordan

Joseph Patrick Riordan, 82, loving husband of 55 years of Evelyn Shia Riordan of Hamden, passed away peacefully March 8, 2010 in CT Hospice, Branford. Mr. Riordan was born in New Haven, June 22, 1927 a son of the late Patrick and Mary O'Connor Riordan and lived in Hamden most of his adult life. After his graduation from Hillhouse High School, he proudly served in the US Army in Germany during WW II and as a guard at the Nuremberg Trials. Joseph was then employed with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier for 42 years before retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable, the Irish History Roundtable, and enjoyed reading, history, and music. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, John J. (Kathleen) Riordan of Killingworth, Mark E. (Kathleen) Riordan of Cheshire, and Carolyn (Curtis) Thalken of North Haven, sisters, Patricia Riordan and Rita Johnson both of Hamden, and 4 loving grandchildren, Cory and Tyler Riordan, Caitlin and Chelsea Thalken. Mr. Riordan was predeceased by a sister Mary Cummings. Funeral service will be Saturday morning March 13, at 11 a.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN. Friends may call Friday from 5-8 p.m. Interment with military honors in Centerville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., Meriden, CT 06450.