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Longtime Southport resident William J. Riordan died Wednesday, March 2, after a long illness. He was 72 years old. Riordan had been a hospital administrator, most notably at St. Vincents Hospital in Bridgeport.
Riordan was born Nov. 21, 1938, in Worcester, Mass. He attended St. Anselm's College and later received a degree in hospital administration from St. Louis University. He served as the commanding officer of an Air Force hospital in Tennessee. He left the military at age 27 to become the chief operating officer of St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
Riordan came to St. Vincents in 1974 and served as its president and CEO for 30 years. He oversaw the move to the new 400-bed St. Vincents Medical Center in 1976. He also developed St. Vincent's Health Services, a network that now includes Hallbrooke Behavioral Services in Westport, St. Vincent's Special Needs Services in Trumbull, St. Vincent's Foundation, St. Vincent's College and Connecticut Health Enterprises. Riordan served as CEO of St. Josephs Medical Center in Stamford from 1994 to 1999.
During his career, Riordan received many awards, including an honorary degree from Sacred Heart University and a leadership award from the Daughters of Charity. He received the American College of Healthcare Executives Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent's Award. The award recognizes ACHE affiliates who have significantly contributed to the advancement of heathcare management.
Riordan was a former member of the Paterson Club and Saugatuck Yacht Club. After 20 years as a boater, he retired to the seashore in Clinton.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Roberta; two children, Robert of Philadelphia and New York and William and Danielle Riordan and their three children of Stratford. Riordan was buried Saturday at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield. Memorial contributions may be made to The Connecticut Hospice, Inc., 2 Trap Falls Road, Shelton, CT 06484.
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