David A. Riess, Sr.

David Alfred Riess, Sr., age 79, of Erial, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Berlin, NJ, to the late Harold Riess and Lauretta Riess (nee Johnson).

Dave was self-employed as an auto mechanic for many years, He truly enjoyed scraping and tinkering in his garage. Dave was a devoted family man and nothing gave him more pleasure than family gatherings. An avid hunter, Dave was also a proud member of the Spartan Gun Club.

He enjoyed life's simple pleasures-a good meal paired with a non-alcoholic beer-and never missed playing his lottery numbers, becoming such a regular that he was on a first-name basis with the store clerks. Above all else, Dave was known for his generosity and compassion. He was always lending a helping hand, and it was not uncommon for him to notice someone struggling and take them under his wing. Truly an angel here on earth and now our angel in Heaven, Dave will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Lauretta Riess, and by his siblings, Herk Riess and Lisa Riess.

He is survived by his loving companion and partner in crime, Barbara Gallagher; his children, Tammy Wall (Charles), Melissa Ulrich (Kevin), and David Riess (Vera); his stepchildren, Tracy Atencio (Gino), Tricia Buchler (Frank), and Dana Gallagher; his grandchildren, Billy Arnold, Taylor Riess (Dylan), Summer Arnold, and Dylan Riess (Emily); his great-grandchildren, Willow D'Ancona, Isabella Reeves, Avalee Riess, Sunday Arnold, Lillyanna Riess, and Malia Winters; and his siblings, Lauretta Green (David), Tom Riess, and Linda Iannaco (John) and many nieces and nephews. He is also lovingly survived by Barbara's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he loved as his own.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM at LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ 08004. A memorial service will begin at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.