Angelo Ricchezza, loving family man
Angelo Ricchezza, 91, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at Brandywine Senior Living, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Vasto, Italy Oct. 19, 1925, son of the late Giuseppe Ricchezza and Consiglia DiRosso.
Angelo's family immigrated from Italy for a better way of life. He entered the United States via Ellis Island at the age of 3 1/2, was raised in Bronx, N.Y., and graduated from Bronx Vocational High School. He enlisted into the U.S. Army Feb. 5, 1944, and served under General Patton's Infantry. He was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart and WWII Victory Medal.
He married his love, Gloria Joan Vietri, April 26, 1953, and had two children. In 1963 they moved to raised their family in Crestwood, N.Y., and it remained their home until 2013. He was a communicant of Annunciation Church and a member of the Men's Holy Guild.
After the war, he began his career as a plumber for Watchel Plumbing/Turner Construction for 25 years and proudly joined Union Local #2. He was well known in the trade as "Ricci." His career path continued with NYC Housing Authority, 1980-91. During his career, Mr. Ricchezza worked in New York City supervising residential and commercial projects. His legacy continues with such projects as Co-op City, McGraw Hill Building, Sperry Rand, Olympic Towers, and many others. He was a life member of Plumber's Local #2.
He and Gloria enjoyed spending winters in Jensen Beach, Fla., with many loving friends for 26-plus years. He enjoyed tennis, golf, bocce and fishing. He loved dancing and 1940s music.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Nardone.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Gloria; two children, Jeanne (Bill) Allan of Rehoboth Beach and Joseph (Gail) Ricchezza of Crestwood, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Billy Allan Jr. of Canajoharie, N.Y.; James (Heather) Allan of Conifer, Colo., Christie (Adam) Whitlock of Rehoboth Beach, and Gregory and Olivia Ricchezza of Crestwood; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Flynn's Memorial Home, 1652 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y., Friday, Feb. 10, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 to 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m., at Annunciation Church, 470 Westchester Ave., Crestwood, Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions may be made to: BeebeMedicalFoundation.org - Kidney Department, Lewes, DE 19958.
