Francesco P. “Frank” Ricci, 92, formerly of Johnston, died Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT after a brief and unexpected illness. He was the husband of the late Gertrude R. (Wallitsch) Ricci and Kathleen (Preston) Ricci.
Born in Johnston, on March 20,1931 he was the son of the late Joseph and Maria (Fetta) Ricci.
Frank served in the US Air Force and Air National Guard for 22 years. He also worked for the Johnston School Department before retiring. During his years in the service, he met his first wife Kathleen in England and began raising a family. He and Kathleen were blessed with two sons, Peter and Michael. During a short move back to the U.S. they were blessed with another son, Billy. They then returned to England for 6 more years before returning to his hometown of Johnston, RI. After losing his first wife Kathleen, he later married Gertrude and enjoyed many happy years until her passing in 2018. Four years ago he moved to CT to be closer to his son Billy and wife, Karen. There, he enjoyed breakfast with his buddies, dinners with his family, and competitive games of Scrabble after dinner. Above all, Frank enjoyed making new friends wherever he went and would always greet you with the biggest smile. He was extremely kind, jovial, and loved to make everyone laugh, whether that was with a silly hat or a funny facial expression. A genuine one-of-a-kind, incredible man who would always end with, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Besides his son, William J. Ricci and wife, Karen of Seymour, CT, he is survived by his son, Peter Preston of Hadleigh, England, granddaughters Lauren Ricci, Kim Ciccarillo (Keith), Jessica MacEwan (Calum), Takeya Flowers and grandson, Michael Ricci (Melissa). Along with 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Michael, brothers Joe and Tommy, and sisters Evelyn, Dorothy, and Gloria.
His funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 19th. Visitation will be Tuesday morning 10am – 11am in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville followed by mass at 11:30am in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 54 Cedar Swamp Rd, Smithfield, RI. Burial with military honors will follow at RI Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.