Gino "Gene" Ricci's Obituary
Gino L. "Gene", 94, passed away on July 25, 2020. Born August 8, 1925, in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Enrico and Isolina (Ratti) Ricci.
Preceded in death by sisters, Mary (Gino) Sartore, Wilma (Michael) Sartore, Elba (survived by William) Lowery, and beloved daughter, Renée Ricci (survived by Joseph) Kimball.
Survived by wife, Joan (Brown) and loving children: Richard (Alicia) Ricci, Augusta, GA; Ronald (Alice) Ricci, Mt. Lebanon; Rori (Norm) Conway, Pleasant Hills; Rae Ann (Nick) Kozinko, Greensburg; and Regina Ricci of Cecil Township. Also survived by his 17 grandchildren: Alessondra (Derek) Huckaby; Ryan Ricci; Rhonda (Britton) Battenfelder; Rochelle (Steve) Breier; Rachael (Ryan) Shaw; Robert (fiancée Gina) Ricci; Danielle (Dan) Kapalko; Michelle (Jason) Marchewka; Katie (Matt) Dixon; Adam Conway; Gina (Joseph) Lustre; Anthony Levine; Stefan (Julia) Levine; Jenita (Joseph) Apel; Rocco Levine; Hannah (fiancé Peter) Callahan; Joseph Callahan; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene graduated from Duquesne University in 1949 and was president of Alpha Phi Delta. After serving his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy, Gene excelled as a leader and was a proud businessman who always looked to serve his community. He owned and operated several successful businesses, most notably the Red Bull Inn restaurant, Pleasant Hills; Red Carpet Travel Agency, Pleasant Hills; Ranch House Motor Inn, Winterhaven, FL; and Gene L. Ricci & Associates Insurance Agency in Pleasant Hills, where he continued greeting his insureds well into his nineties. Gene was a devout Roman Catholic and lifelong member of St. Elizabeth Parish. He attended mass daily, supported multiple charities, and devoted his entire life to promoting devotion to his good friend, St. Padre Pio, who he first met in 1961. Gene was known and loved by many and will be dearly missed by family and friends.
A private mass was celebrated for the family at St. Elizabeth Church. Interment, Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gene's favorite charity, the National Centre for Padre Pio, 111 Barto Road, Barto, PA 19504-8730
or online at padrepio.org in his memory.
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