2024-03-17 11:31:02
Dana Ray Riggs, 87, went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 2024, at Bickford Senior Living in Virginia Beach. He was born on August 29, 1936, in Kenova, West Virginia and preceded in death by his wife, Maria Salvaggio Riggs, parents, Charles Spurgeon and Ruth Canterbury Riggs, sisters Dorothy Pauley, Maxine Ferguson, Juanita Moore and brothers Carl, Charles, Ralph, Garrett and Bernie Riggs. Left to cherish his beautiful memories are his three sons, Raymond Peter Riggs (Jan), Myrtle Beach, SC, Dana Richard Riggs (Hope), Virginia Beach, VA, Anthony Charles Riggs (Kelsey) Tampa, FL, his grandchildren Bethany Joyner, Austin Riggs, Amelia Riggs, Cole Riggs, and Alexander Riggs, great granddaughters Blakelyn, Brynlee and brothers Pat and Eustace Riggs.
After graduating high school in West Virginia and serving in the US Navy, he moved to Brooklyn, NY where we began his long career in the restaurant industry. He met the love of his life, Maria, who was visiting from Sicily. He asked her to stay, and they were married in 1967. Together, they raised three boys in Ridgefield, CT, where he owned and operated the Red Lion Restaurant until the late 80s. He was tough and passionate regarding his business and his people, but compassion that he showed for his employees was greater with many working alongside him for decades. Dana’s welcoming personality was contagious. He never met a stranger and loved to share stories regarding his many years in the hospitality business. He was hard-working but always made time for his family and friends. He loved to entertain and was at his best in the kitchen when the family gathered for special occasions.
Dana was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church located in Creeds. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him and may he rest peacefully in the arms of our Heavenly Father. The family would like to sincerely give their deepest gratitude to his caregivers at Bickford Senior Living and Trinity Hospice over the past seven months for their continual love and care throughout the days and nights.
A visitation will be held at the Holloman-Brown Chapel on Sunday, March 17 at 2pm followed by service beginning at 3pm. Burial will follow at Colonial Grove Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oak Grove Baptist Church www.ogbaptist.com. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com
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