JOHNSTON — Deacon Raymond L. Riccio, 88, of Johnston, passed away Tuesday, December 7, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Arlene (Flynn) Riccio.
Born Feb. 21, 1933, in Johnston, he was a son of the late Roger and Lena (Libutti) Riccio.
Deacon Riccio attended LaSalle Academy in Providence. As a young man he served the nation as a member of the U.S. Air Force stateside as an electronics technician, during the Korean War. He married Arlene Flynn on September 8, 1962. He built a home in Johnston, where he lived for close to 60 years. Deacon Riccio worked in construction, becoming the general manager for the Cardi Corporation for many years before retiring to start his own plumbing business where he served several Rhode Island supermarkets. He was a generous man, giving freely of the gifts that he was blessed to have been given by the Lord.
In 1982, Deacon Riccio was ordained a deacon of the Roman Catholic Church. He ministered to the poor in Hartford Park, the homebound, and served to bring the Holy Eucharist at the Cranston Medical Center, and for 35 years the bulk of his time was spent as the Catholic chaplain for the sick and infirmed at the Eleanor Slater Hospital. He and his wife Arlene spent many years working side-by-side talking to, counseling, caring for, and praying with the patients at Zambarano Hospital. They truly found a home in the countless years of service, which were a pure joy for both of them. They spoke fondly of their years there, which continued until his retirement at age 85.
In addition to his wife of more than 59 years, he leaves his daughter Nancy (Kenney) Duska and son-in-law, Matthew Duska of West Greenwich. He was predeceased by his son Robert R. Riccio and his son-in-law David T. Kenney III. Additionally, he leaves behind his four grandchildren, David Kenney, Brian Kenney, Kyle Kenney and Kaitlyn Duska, three step-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother, William R. Riccio of Johnston, and was the brother of the late Mary D. Ricci, and the late Roger A. Riccio Jr.
His nephew, Reverend Timothy Reilly, concelebrated a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rocco’s Church, Johnston, on Friday, Dec. 17. Military honors and burial followed at St. Ann Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are greatly appreciated to the Mother of Life Center, 400 Atwells Ave., Providence, RI 02909.
