Robert "Chris" Riofski

Chris Riofski of Landenberg, New Garden Township, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026.  He was 72 years old.  Born in Berwick, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Chris was the son of the late Robert Charles Riofski and the late Virginia Jordan Riofski.

Chris grew up in a loving, close-knit Catholic family.  Bulldog football and playing trumpet in the marching band was his passion before leaving for General Motors Institute of Technology, now Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.  Following completion of his studies, Chris began his career at the Wilmington Assembly Boxwood Road General Motors Plant.  He retired in 2009. 

Chris and his Dad, Bob, were avid NASCAR and Indy car fans before it became popular.  He was a life-long Penn State and Yankee fan.  When Lincoln Financial Field opened in Philadelphia, Chris purchased 2 box seats to see his beloved Eagles, even though his wife Linda was a Steeler fan.

Following his retirement from GM, Chris became a more active member St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, Pennsylvania as a PREP teacher for five years and also sang in the choir.  He prayed the rosary daily and sat an hour of Adoration each week.  Chris loved his vegetable garden each year and enjoyed the annual “sleigh ride” in December to buy kielbasa and pierogies upstate with his poker buddies of 45 years.

He was the beloved husband of Linda Pavlikowski Riofski for 41 years; dear father of Nicole Vietmeier and Therese McMillen; grandfather of Vivian Vietmeier, Delilah Vietmeier and Owen McMillen; brother of Gina Scala.

A viewing will be from 10:00AM until 11:00AM with a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM on Monday, March 23, 2026 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church, 8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale, Pennsylvania.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Chris' name may be made to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church.

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