Riley Pratt O’Brien of Friday Harbor, Wash., formerly of Winnetka, Ill., and Buffalo, N.Y., died at the age of 97 on Nov. 8, 2008.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Frances Aspinwall; and his wife of 16 years, Martha Towle Fortune.

He is survived by one sister; five children, Mary, Margaret, Kathleen, Riley and Kevin; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He spent his career in the shipping business on the Great Lakes working for Boland and Cornelius in Buffalo and as fleet manager for Inland Steel Company in Chicago until his retirement. In his younger years, he was an avid sailor and private pilot and continued his love of flying through the age of 79.

He and his enduring zest for life and adventuresome spirit will be missed by his family and friends.

At Riley’s request, no services will be held. An online guest book registry is available at: Legacy.com Chicago Tribune Obituaries

— The Riley Pratt O’Brien family