NEWBURYPORT — Late Partridge in a Bear Tree owner Kevin Riley had many attributes that drew others to him, but to his longtime friend and business partner Jill Hovan, one always stood out above the rest.
“He’s the only person that I had those really hard, inappropriate, uncontrollable belly laughs. and we did it a lot where it was the wrong time but it always happened. And I really feel like with him gone that I won’t have that again,” Hovan said.
Riley, 60, passed away Sunday after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
He owned and operated two Partridge in a Bear Tree stores, one at 17 Market Square in Newburyport for 23 years and at 84 Wharf St. in Salem for 10 years.
Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon described Riley as “a bright light in our downtown community.”
“He was a fighter and a community friend to all. His death leaves a large void in our business community. All the Reardons send our love and prayers to Kevin’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Reardon said.
Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Nate Allard said he was saddened to learn the news.
“I knew him, my family knew him. They all went to school in Salisbury and we’ve all been very local together and we’ve always said that his store is a staple in Newburyport. So, it’s like we’re losing one of the greats in Newburyport,” Allard said.
He praised Riley’s active role in the community.
“He was the face of many of the chamber’s events, many of the retail events downtown. Just a well-known character loved by all,” Allard said.
Riley would often set up his store with spooky decorations for the chamber’s annual Witches Night Out sales events, or dress up in Christmas-themed attire for Invitation Nights, another chamber-led shopping series.
After receiving his diagnosis in February 2023, Riley dedicated himself toward raising funds to support research to end the disease once and for all.
He had been involved in multiple fundraising efforts to support PanCan, a group that raises money for pancreatic cancer research and helps families with treatment.
The organization, according to its website, has generated approximately $208 million in research investment since 2003, with more than 700 volunteers driving local community action. The statistics surrounding the disease are devastating, with an overall survival rate of 13% over five years, according to cancer.org.
On April 27, Riley and his team of supporters took part in the PurpleStride fundraiser walk in Boston for PanCan.
In total, Team Riley raised $46,795, far exceeding its original goal of $15,000. Team Riley raised the second most out of the 182 participating teams.
Riley himself collected the third most in terms of individual donations with $27,041.
Hovan said the fundraising efforts gave Riley something to concentrate on.
“I think when he was doing that and trying to raise money for that cause, it took the focus off of his illness and his treatment. It gave him something to do and be around a lot of people. That’s what I think that did for him,” Hovan said.
Regarding what is next for Partridge in a Bear Tree, Hovan said they are not yet talking about plans for the store.
“That’s to be decided later. Right now, the store is going to go forward to,” Hovan said.
Riley is survived by his husband, Ronald Senter, his partner for the past 18 years.
Other family members include sisters Carol Marr and her husband Bruce of Gloucester, Nancy Riley Whitehill of Salisbury, and brothers Jim Riley and his partner Heather Sinton of Rollinsford, N.H., and Rick Riley and his wife Shari of North Reading. He is also survived by nieces Kelsey Marr, Taylor Whitehill and Noel Riley and nephews Brendan Marr and Patrick Riley.
Details on arrangements or a celebration of life have yet to be released.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.