Worcester/Shrewsbury – Joseph F. Ricciardi, 95, of Worcester, formerly of Shrewsbury, died Saturday, March 7, 2015 in Beaumont-University Campus, surrounded by his loving family. His wife, Lorraine T. (Houle) Ricciardi, died in 1965.
He leaves his children, Margaret P. “Peg” Prizio of Worcester, Joseph F. “Jay” Ricciardi Jr., of Shrewsbury, and Ronald J. Ricciardi and his wife Christine of West Yarmouth; four grandchildren, Katherine Keating of Shrewsbury, Christopher R. Ricciardi and his wife Katie of East Brookfield, Peter J. Ricciardi and his wife Libby of Maynard, and Melissa L. Ricciardi of Brewster; five great-grandchildren, Lilian, George, Lydia, Andrew Joseph, and Sophia; a brother, Pasquale Ricciardi of Worcester; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Francis and John, and six sisters, Margaret, Theresa, Ann, Lucy, Mary, and Philomena.
Joe was born in Worcester, one of 10 children to Italian immigrants, Francesco and Margaret (Bovenzi) Ricciardi. He attended Worcester Schools , leaving before graduation to join the Civilian Conservation Corps in Vermont and later enlisting into the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving his country proudly on the USS Baltimore.
After being discharged from the Navy in 1945, Joe worked as a machinist for many years at Wyman-Gordon and Lusignan Brothers Inc. Later in life, he became a permanent fixture at the former Toscano’s Market as the best sandwich maker on Shrewsbury Street.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joe’s family Tuesday, March 10, from 4-7 p.m., in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. His funeral will be held Wednesday, March 11 from the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, with a procession to Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will be in Saint John Cemetery, Worcester.
Memorial donations can be made to the Shrewsbury Little League, P.O. Box 197 MO, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
