Richard Vincent DiCarlo Sr. age 75, died peacefully on August 24, 2020 in Hope Health hospice, after a heroic battle with cancer. He was also known as Dad, Pop Pop, Dee, Dick, Gumpy, Uncle Richard and eventually, the old man. His age was just shy of his goal of 102, as he would often say.
While born in Coventry RI, Richard was a long-time community member of Chepachet RI. Richard is pre- deceased by his father, Pietro C DiCarlo Sr and his mother Irene. Richard had a very close relationship with his mother and was heartbroken when she passed away. Most of us who knew him well, have heard many stories about their relationship. In addition, Richard had 2 biological siblings, Pietro C DiCarlo and Madeline DiCarlo, both of whom had pre-deceased him. He also has 8 step siblings. Armando DiCarlo (deceased), Palma DiCarlo Puccino (deceased), Crispino DiCarlo (deceased), Albeana DiCarlo Delebrio (deceased) and is survived by Mary “Casino Babes” DiCarlo Rizzo, Joe DiCarlo, Vera DiCarlo Begis.
Richard was very young when he fell in love with his teenage sweetheart Rita Mildred DeVaudreuil. They were married on July 3, 1965 and together they built an amazing life together. They had 2 children, Richard Vincent DiCarlo Jr and Brenda DiCarlo. While he had many jobs, he worked primarily as a mill worker at Cranston print works. Richard spent time with friends and family. He and Rita enjoyed spending time at their campground in CT but enjoyed vacationing with friends at Poland Springs. Richard was blessed with 2 granddaughters, Miss Ashley Pincince (Brenda’s daughter) and Morgan Rita DiCarlo (Richard’s daughter), whom he loved and cherished. In the last year Richard Jr. and his father’s relationship grew stronger as they spent a great deal of time together. In addition, Richard Jr. became his beloved caregiver and support system.
On June 27, 2002 his “blushing bride” Rita, (his term) passed away from a long battle with Scleroderma. Richard became very active in his local chapter of the Scleroderma support group and an activist for supporting people with this disease. Richard would say, he took care of her for 37 years and would take care of her for 37 more.
Throughout the years, Richard had several cats who accompanied him through his life. Most notably, Mr. Codi and presently Mr. Whiskers. Because they were cats, this was more of a love/hate relationship, of which we would all hear about.
In 2003, his brother, Pietro C. DiCarlo (better known as Pete), with whom Richard was very close to, passed away from a long battle with cancer. He was known to visit the “Pottstown, Pa” gang often. After this, he became particularly close to Pete’s daughters, Margaret- Ann Rothenberger and Jennifer DiCarlo-Fegley. He was able to take many amazing trips, cruises and vacations with them. They both had very special nicknames, that most of you are familiar with.
Richard was in integral part of his community and was a lifelong firefighter. He was a volunteer fire fighter for the West Gloucester Fire Department for 30 years, Chepachet Fire Department for over 20 years and the Harris Fire Company for 5 years. He also served on the Rhode Island Firefighters League in various capacities for 20 years and was currently the President of the Northern Rhode Island League. Richard was passionate about his service and took every opportunity he could to serve his community. He was also able to obtain his certification as a Cardiac Emergency Medical Technician. Richard would often remark how proud he was of this accomplishment, since he was required to drop out of school in the 8th grade to help support his family.
Richard had many significant “family members” and one of the most special was his relationship with Leeann and Jimmy Brown and their 3 daughters, Amanda Brown, Megan Brown Nimblet and Danielle Brown and his most precious “Mr. Handsome Man” Finn, who is Danielle’s son. The Brown family helped take care of him and support him at his most difficult times and were a steady presence in his life. He adored this entire family and loved them unconditionally.
In 2014, Richard obtained his iPad, which lead to his social media presence, which was extensive. He was able to connect with many old friends and become part of everyone’s lives. He was known for his roses, hearts and fire truck emoji’s. He could often be found playing on his phone, often requiring most of his friends to tell him to put it down.
Richard had a passion for people. He valued his relationships with everyone and showed them through cooking and baking. He will be forever remembered, to most of us, by our favorite dishes. Here are some, just to remind you how he will be missed…. The best Antipasto plate ever- which included the special “gabagoo” (hot capicola) , snail salad (always diced never sliced), linguini and clams, clam’s casino, sutffies, wine biscuits, almond (not vanilla) drop biscuits with icing and Pizzelles (pronounced Pit-zel). He would also roast red peppers, only when on sale, for his special sandwiches (pronounced sang-wich). Lastly, don’t forget a raw clam with some Tabasco.
Richard had the amazing ability to touch everyone’s heart in a special way. He had a life spark that connected with each one of us, which is why his passing has had such a different, yet difficult affect on us all. He was able to make each of us feel special and valued. We all were pulled into his passion for life, stories, causes, raucous laughter and larger than life presence and in turn, in some small way, these traditions, stories and passions became our own. His stories, recipes and memories will last forever in our hearts. Richard, you were loved more than you will ever know, and your life was truly blessed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday August 28th at 10am in St. Eugene’s Church, 1215 Putnam Pike, Glocester. Face Masks and Social Distancing inside the church will be required. Burial in Acote’s Hill Cemetery will be private. Virtual Visitation Thursday August 27th from 4-6pm at the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to the West Glocester Fire Department, 2410 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814