Philip Riney

Rev. Philip Riney, 90, of Owensboro passed away December 10, 2014 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Born in Owensboro, a son of the late Len and Ermine Mulligan Riney, he attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Francis High School. He entered seminary at St. Mary's College in Kentucky from which he graduated, and was ordained a priest at St. Stephen Cathedral on April 5, 1948 by the late Bishop Francis R. Cotton. Father Riney was then 23 years old, the youngest priest to be ordained in the Diocese of Owensboro. His first assignment was at St. Ann Catholic Church in Morganfield, followed by Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church in Owensboro, Rosary Chapel in Paducah, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hawesville, St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church in Paducah, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Whitesville, Holy Name Catholic Church in Henderson, and Blessed Mother Catholic Church in Owensboro, from which he retired in 1998 following fifty years of devoted priesthood. Following his retirement, he continued to serve the diocese as a willing substitute. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Joseph Leon Riney, Richard Riney, Sr., Sr. Mary Leon Riney, OSU, Sr. Ann Clare Riney, SCN, James E. Riney, and Trudy Mudd.

Often affectionately referred to as the "Master Builder", Fr. Phil organized the construction of new churches at both St. Mary of the Woods and Blessed Mother.

A lover of nature and the outdoors, he lived for many years following his retirement at his home on Rough River, with the exception of January and February, which he spent in Sarasota, FL

Father Phil was devoted to his family, with whom he loved sharing his stories and his faith, that faith shining thru in all his works. He will always be remembered for his giving nature, always sharing his home with family and friends. He loved people and all loved him. The people of the churches he served became his extended family and he treated them all as a father would treat his children.

He is survived by his sisters, Mary Lou Mudd and her husband Joe, of Owensboro, Patricia Cheshire of Memphis, Virginia Riney Dorsten and her husband Charles of Dayton; his sister-in-law Peggy Riney of Louisville; his brother David Riney of California, and many nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass for Father Riney will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Blessed Mother Catholic Church, where visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Carmel Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where messages of condolence may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.