Carl Paul LoRicco, devoted to family, volunteering
Carl Paul LoRicco, 89, of Lewes, formerly of Chadwick Beach Island, N.J., entered into eternal rest at 3:41 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, at his home. He was born Jan. 27, 1936, in Jersey City, N.J., son of the late Vera (Napolitano) and Harry LoRicco.
In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Josephine LoRicco.
Carl graduated from Emerson High School and worked as a foreman at New Jersey Casket Company in Jersey City. He later worked in the trucking industry and eventually retired from APA Transport.
Carl is survived by his wife, Helen (Babb) LoRicco, whom he married July 19, 2017; his son, Carl Dino LoRicco and his wife Regina; his daughters, Lisa Ann Ledda and her husband James, and Dianne Blankey and her husband Lenny; nine grandchildren, Thomasina Spagnolo (Jim), Dina Kocak (Matt), Robert LoRicco (Nicole), Courtney Zagari (Steve), Dean Raspantini, Disneyanna Ledda, Hayley Ledda, Harrison Ledda and Laura Blankey; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
There were many things that made Carl who he was, including his Italian heritage and his love of wine, the sun, and the ocean. An avid fisherman, he cherished his boat, the Lisa Jo. He was a diehard fan of the Giants, Rangers, and Phillies and attended every Super Bowl he could. Carl also loved gardening, tending to his fig tree and blackberry bushes, and, of course, picking weeds.
Our dad loved his life and treated others as he would want to be treated. He dedicated much of his time to volunteering, including more than 10 years with Meals on Wheels, tirelessly ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, and selling church raffle tickets on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. He gave countless hours to St. Jude the Apostle Church, serving as an usher and helping in any way he could. Carl was also a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus.
“Let your conscience be your guide,” as Jiminy Cricket said. Carl lived his life by those words, and his family will always associate him with his helpful, positive spirit. We will go forward with that motto to honor him. He loved his family and made us who we are today, and we could not be prouder.
In lieu of flowers, and as Carl would have wanted, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate; or Meals on Wheels, mealsonwheels-lr.org/donate.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 8, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends and family may call beginning at 10 a.m.
Entombment will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Joseph’S Catholic Cemetery, 62 Cedar Grove Road, Toms River, N.J.
Visit Carl’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
