Robert Joseph Ricciardi

Robert Joseph Ricciardi, age 93, passed away on January 1, 2026 in Ocala, Florida. He leaves his beloved wife Joyce of 69 years, his children Stephen and his wife Ann, Laurie, Thomas, Valarie and her husband Brian, his grandchildren Alexander and his wife Jenna and Lauren and her husband Andrew and his four great granddaughters Claira, Lucy, Felicity, and Cecilia whom he cherished. He also leaves his brother Paul and his wife Claire and Bonnie who was like an adopted daughter. He was predeceased by his sister Marilyn and her husband Jack. He also leaves many loving nieces and nephews.
He was born in Somerville, MA on June 22, 1932 son of Paul and Anna Ricciardi and graduated from Somerville High School. He entered the Air Force on his birthday June 22, 1951 and served for four years. He joined the National Guard and served an additional two years. He met his wife Joyce in Burlington Vermont and they were married in 1956. He built their house for them in Fitchburg where they lived for 27 years and raised their four children.
He started his career at Thoresen Forms as a laborer, became a carpenter and eventually became the CEO. He retired in 1990 and moved to Florida with his wife Joyce, and their son Thomas.
Bob was the original “Mr. Fix it” , he was always tinkering and repairing. Whenever his kids, family or friends needed any help he was always there to work on a project. He loved to build furniture and model airplanes and was neat and meticulous. His big passion was golf, he could play 36 holes a day and walk the course at Maplewood or Ocala Municipal . He never lost his patience , he just loved to be outdoors enjoying the company of his golf partners and playing the game. He was also the pasta king. Everyone enjoyed whenever the pasta maker came out and he made ravioli or tortellini. However, the thing he loved the most was his family, especially his Joycey, his buttercup, his petunia. He never went to bed without giving her a kiss goodnight. At any family function he was always sitting quietly watching the chaos and listening to the multiple conversations. He was known to pull pranks and had a great sense of humor and his smile was something we all loved to see. He will be greatly missed by all. God will hold him in his arms, but we will hold him in our hearts.
Funeral services will be at St. Columba Church, 12 Richards Ave, Paxton, MA on February 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM with a calling hour from 9:30 -10:00AM. Following the service a mercy meal will be at Val’s Restaurant, 75 Reservoir St, Holden, MA. Internment will be at the Veteran Memorial Cemetery at 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Hospice of Marion County, 3231 SW 34th Ave, Ocala, Fl 34474 https://hospiceofmarion.org/donate/ or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org