A terminally ill Liverpool father made a final journey from his hospital bed to enjoy one last drink at his favourite local pub just days before he died. Terry Riley, 75, a well-known regular in the city's traditional pubs, was determined to visit The Queen of Hope Street with his family after receiving palliative care.
Diagnosed with lung cancer in January, the dad-of-three passed away on May 8, only eight days after his memorable final pub visit on April 30. His family is now honouring his final wishes by holding a memorial party in another of his cherished pubs, complete with a playlist he personally curated.
Key Takeaways
- Terry Riley, 75, left Clatterbridge cancer centre for a final visit to The Queen of Hope Street pub.
- He was diagnosed with lung cancer in January and died on May 8, just over a week after the visit.
- His family described him as a funny and kind man who kept his sense of humour until the end.
- Instead of a traditional funeral, Terry planned a memorial party at The Vines pub with his own eclectic music playlist.
A Beloved Regular and Family Man
Terry Riley was a familiar face in Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, known for his weekly pub crawls with former colleagues. A retired customs worker from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, he had a deep affection for the city's historic pubs, including The Vines, St Peter's Tavern, and The Monro.
His life changed in January when he was diagnosed with lung cancer following a period of back pain and unexplained weight loss. As his condition advanced, he was moved to Clatterbridge cancer centre for palliative care.
Despite his illness, his character remained unchanged. His daughter, Emma Riley, 35, described him as a remarkable person.
"He was probably the funniest person I've ever met. He was a huge fan of music, particularly the Beatles, and he was so kind. He was a great person to be around."
She added that his positive spirit was infectious. "Even until the day he died he was still cracking silly jokes, making everyone in hospital laugh. His sense of humour was what he was best known for."
The Final Journey to a Favourite Pub
Knowing his time was limited, Terry was determined to make one last trip to The Queen of Hope Street, a pub he had frequented since it opened in 2023. With the support of staff at Clatterbridge, the family arranged the visit for April 30.
"We managed to get to the Queen of Hope Street on April 30, and he passed on May 8," Emma explained. "We wheeled him down in his wheelchair. He was in really good spirits. We spoke to the staff at Clatterbridge and they hooked him up to an oxygen machine."
The journey itself became a cherished memory. Terry, an Everton fan with a deep love for his city, took the opportunity to act as a tour guide from his wheelchair. "He took great pleasure directing us," Emma recalled. "He loved Liverpool as a city and was showing us the different buildings, what they used to be. He had a great time."
Terry Riley: A Life in Brief
- Age: 75
- Family: Wife Lynn, children Michael, Steven, and Emma
- Profession: Former customs worker at Liverpool John Lennon Airport
- Passions: The Beatles, Motown music, Everton FC, Liverpool's historic pubs
- Died: May 8
Planning a Unique Celebration of Life
Before he passed away, Terry made it clear he did not want a conventional funeral. Instead, he planned his own memorial, asking for a party where friends and family could celebrate his life in a more fitting environment: one of his favourite pubs.
The family reached out to The Vines on Lime Street, another of Terry's regular spots, to host the event. Emma was touched by their response. "I knew the pubs didn't have private hire rooms, but I thought I'd drop them a message and the kindness has been unbelievable. He was over the moon to learn it would be in The Vines."
The memorial, scheduled for Friday, October 10, will follow his specific instructions. "He said he didn't want people wearing black, he wanted his own playlist going, because he had a huge playlist prepared, very Beatles heavy," Emma said.
An Eclectic Final Playlist
According to his daughter, Terry's musical taste was broad and full of surprises. While heavily featuring his beloved Beatles and old rock and Motown classics, the playlist he prepared for his memorial also included some unexpected tracks. Among them were a song by Girls Aloud and another by Lady Gaga, showcasing what his family called a "very eclectic music taste."
This careful planning was a comfort to both Terry and his family. "It was lovely to be able to tell him that it was all sorted before he died," Emma shared. "He's going to be there in his spirit. I'm so grateful for them."
A Legacy of Laughter and Strength
Throughout his illness, Terry's primary focus was on protecting his family from further pain. His daughter believes his constant joking was a way to help them cope with the inevitable.
"Losing him was horrendous, but he was very much upbeat until the end," she said. "He was constantly making jokes. I think he was doing it to help us. I'm forever grateful to him for that. Every day we'd be in hospital with him but we'd be laughing. Obviously there were bad moments as well."
In his final days, the family shared one last special moment together. Though he was mostly asleep, Terry woke up for a short time, allowing his daughter to join him to watch his team play. "I managed to get in and we watched Everton together on his last day awake. He was a huge Everton fan."
Terry Riley's story is one of a man who faced the end of his life with the same humour, kindness, and love for his city that had defined his 75 years.