John Robert Ricciardi, 87, of Noank, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 2, 2014. He was born in New York City, the son of Salvatore and Carolina (Prestopino) Ricciardi On June 14, 1927. He was married to the love of his life, his beloved Lillian, on May 6, 1950. She predeceased him in 1992.
John was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Navy, starting his service at the end of World War II. His service took him from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to Great Lakes Michigan, to California and the Mobil Dental Unit, and then to Bremerhaven, Germany for three years. He also served aboard several surface vessels with duty in the Mediterranean. He was on active duty through the Korean War and in the early days of the conflict in Vietnam.
Following his retirement from the Navy, he owned and operated the Thames Dental Laboratory in Groton for 45 years, retiring in 2011.
He was an accomplished ballroom dancer, and danced until very recently. He was a long time member of USADance, an amateur ballroom dancing organization, where he also served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President for many years. He was very fond of all his ballroom friends, but none more than his dance instructor Marj Winslow who became a dear friend as well.
He was very active in the Groton Senior Center after he retired. He discovered that he had a deep, rich baritone voice after he joined the Silvertones, and then the Sunshine Chorus, where he was a frequent soloist. He won first prize in the Annual Talent Show last year with his rendition of "Old Man River". Special thanks to Carol Pratt for helping to nourish this love of singing. He always spoke so highly of the staff at the center, and how they filled his days with compassion and friendship. Special thanks to Kathy and all the bus drivers who took such good care of him.
He began writing poetry in 2011 at the age of 83. His friend Marj liked to call him a "Renaissance man": ballroom dancer, poet, and singer. A compilation of his poems is in the works. He was a loyal patron of the arts, and a long time supporter of the Garde Arts Center. He loved going to the movies, and could always be counted on to provide a review. One of his great sorrows was to have been deprived of his ability to see many of the things he loved.
He was also a long time member of the BPOE Elks in Groton, and a 50-Year member of the Fleet Reserve for which he was honored and presented a gold pin. He was also a model boat builder, and created many wooden sailing ships.
He is survived by his beloved daughter Karen Jane Ricciardi and her husband Paul Basilica of Niantic, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers Joe, Jack, and Jimmy Ricciardi, and his sisters Lillian Feliccia, Kathleen Lopez, Pauline Helms, and Virginia Abrey.
A memorial service with full military honors will be held on Friday, November 7, at 1:30pm at the Coast Guard Academy Chapel in New London. Burial will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USO General Colin L. Powell Center, Fort Hamilton Army Base, 237 Grimes Road, Brooklyn NY 11252, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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