May 21, 1939 – June 6, 2022
SERVICE DETAILS
Waters of Babylon Chapel
Date: June 9, 2022 Time: 10:00 AM
CEMETERY DETAILS
Wellwood Cemetery: 1400 Wellwood Ave, West Babylon, NY 11704
Service Recording: Click Here
SHIVA DETAILS
Shiva information is as follows:
At home of Linda Riger – 302 Elton Court North, St. James, NY 11780
Thursday After Service: Unil 4 PM, then 7-9 PM
Friday: 1-4 PM
Sunday June 12 at home of Michael and Tracey Riger: 43 Travis Road, Baldwin Place, NY 10505: 1-7 PM
RESOURCES
OBITUARY
Martin S. Riger, age 83 of St. James, New York passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday June 6, 2022. Marty was born May 21, 1939 in Brooklyn, NY to his parents Sally and Joseph Riger.
Marty led an exemplary life of service and was a devoted husband to his wife Linda of 60 Years. Marty was an amazing and loving father to his children Robbin Riger Hartman and Michael Riger and to his son- in law Jeff Hartman and daughter in law Tracey Riger. He cherished his 6 grandchildren Courtney Hartman, Josh Riger, Samantha Hartman, Rachel Riger, Zachary Hartman and Ryan Hartman who viewed their grandfather as a living superhero. Marty was also a loving brother-in-law to Jackie and Bill Frank as well as a dedicated uncle to Steven Frank and Lisa Cardarelli.
Marty made it his lifelong practice of being a positive and uplifting influence to all those he came into contact with. He received numerous coaching awards during his tenure and is a member of The Jewish Sports Heritage Association and Brentwood High School Basketball Halls of Fame.
Our family greatly appreciates the heartfelt outpouring of support from Marty’s former players, friends, relatives and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Martin Riger’s name be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: secure2.convio.net
Sorry to hear about the passing of Marty. He was a mentor to me (as to many others). A master teacher as well as a good friend.
Rest In Peace Coach. Love ~ Jim Caliendo
Coach Rigger was beyond a coach to the lower middle class African-American children of Brentwood, he was what the Bible mentions of being a neighbor! Coach Rigger was a hybrid of Harriett Tubman for us. He devoted his life to giving us a gift he loved in order to open up a world of greater possibilities for us without a post high school plan or vision! He masterfully coached basketball, but was as devoted to us building character and being diplomats representing our town! I could go on with all the secret nuances, nuggets and loop holes he gave us who couldn’t afford to be as involved as he saw necessary, yet he always made a way for whosoever wanted a chance and saw his vision for us as student athletes! Far beyond a man, that kind of selfless sacrifice for your neighbor ranks as a fisher, and Sheppard of men! Forever singing his praise! God bless and smile on Coach Rigger and his entire family who fueled and supported his mission all his days.
Love you
Jeffrey Stewart ’82
Marty Riger was our good friend, whom we met in our condo community in Delray Beach. We have known him and his wife, Linda for about 20 years. We went to numerous activities, dinner dances, events, trips, cruises, etc. with Marty & Linda over the years. The highlights included cruises, and even a 3 week driving trip out west with the Kaufmans, Rigers and Jacobsons. We enjoyed being with Marty and Linda on a trans Atlantic crossing and several days in London. Out west we traveled with them from Denver to the Badlands, to Yellowstone, winding up in Las Vegas. We participated with him on the various fundraising golf tournaments for Maccabbi Sports held in Florida.
Marty was a very positive person. He had a wonderful sense of humor, regaling us with numerous jokes. He knew amazing details about sports teams, members, scores, etc. He emphasized ethics and positivity. He was a wonderful role model to the numerous basketball players he coached and mentored. He also had a great singing voice, knew the words and who performed the various songs from the 60’s, etc.
He was a very good friend and we will miss him terribly. He will be in our hearts forever.
I knew Marty as a devoted family man and a true “Mench”- caring, concerned, supportive, and there when needed.
We have lost our dear friend Marty Riger. His courage, common sense and values are an inspiration to all of us who were fortunate enough to know him. We join his family in their sadness.Rest in peace Marty. We miss you!
With sincere condolences to the Riger Family. Our thoughts are with you all at this time.
Respectfully, Vincent Parisi and all Mike’s friends at Statewide Coffee Company.
He was one in a million. My love and condolences to the Riger/Hartman family.
My sincerest condolences to Linda and Family. Marty was a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and a well-respected teacher, coach, and friend. I am sorry I was unable to attend the service. I enjoyed the times I spent with Marty and Linda. My thoughts and prayers to all of you during this sad and reflective time. Marla
My sincere condolences to the Riger family. Marty coached, taught and mentor young men from all different races,cultures and backgrounds. This was a true picture of the way the world should be. Marty has truly made this planet a better place.
You can tell what kind of coach and educator he was when here we are, 50 years later and former students of East Jr. High such as myself, are so fondly remembering him in nothing but the utmost praise. To his friends and family, that shows that he made a difference in this world and I offer you my deepest condolelces.
I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Riger. Brentwood lost another icon. I had so much fun in class with him and at the Yes I Can Basketball Camp. I can still picture him laughing and joking around with Stan Keller. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Riger family. He was an amazing person.
My sincerest condolences to the entire Riger family. I knew Marty from Palm greens in Florida. The word that immediately comes to mind when you mention Marty is GENTLEMAN. Marty always acted with class and dignity even when people he interacted with did not. He even acted with class when he suspected he would not live much longer. He told me ” I’ve had a good life “. RIP Coach Rig. God bless.
Coach Riger
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this time.
I has the fortune to play for Coach Riger in a Maccabi suffolk summer tournament. I was actually looking on line to see if he could speak to my son whos playing HS bball now. I was saddened to see this news. He was an unbelievable coach and had a major impact on all of his players including me. A Mench of impeccable character.