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Frank Riccio Obituary
Frank Joseph Riccio II, formerly of the Black Rock section of Bridgeport and a resident of Charlottesville, VA, for the past 19 years, died Sunday after a brief but courageous battle against cancer. Even before he graduated from Pratt Institute, Frank began working as an artist and illustrator. Go out to a restaurant with him, and you risked ending up as a pen and ink sketch in one of his notebooks. On his visits back "home" to Bridgeport, he and his easel could often be spotted at St. Mary's, and his work has graced the walls of many local establishments. Frank illustrated many children's books, including Conversations with God, Johnny Appleseed, and The Spirited Alphabet. His illustrations appeared in Gourmet and Sports Illustrated magazines, and he did all the graphics and art for the Café Gratitude restaurants. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Tara, and stepson AJ Frey; mother, Gioia; brother Fred (Kathy); sisters Nina (Dave Hill), Lisa (John O'Brien) and Gioia (David Sullivan), and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, c/o VABC in memory of Frank Riccio,145 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4629. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frank Riccio
Cris sallada
August 17, 2025
Tara, I was your kdg. Teacher. I did not know of your dad's passing. I still have the abc poster he gave me at CCS, and have thought I will donate it to the school and simply looked him up today 8/17/2025 and read of his passing, my empathy to you have to have had such a short time together on this earth.
Juditn Elaine Halek
July 18, 2025
Hope whatever you are doing... you are having fun Frank! Miss you, Judith
Judith ELaine Halek
July 17, 2024
Continued appreciation for you and your life!!! xoxoxo Judith
Judith Elaine Halek
July 17, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Judith Elaine Halek
July 17, 2023
Once again, your day of departure has arrived... And I am reminded through AI and my own calendar documentation of your passing.
The world is, indeed, in such a different place than when you were here. You already know that and hopefully are assisting the craziness of humans from the other side.
Thinking of you, Frank, and always sending bundles of love.
Judith Elaine Halek
July 18, 2022
I continue to send love and light to you, dear Frank... still leaving an impression of such greatness for your legacy of children, art, books, and life. Much love to you wherever your spirit takes you.
Tim Holleran
July 17, 2022
So sorry to hear this news. Black Rock memories.
Judith Elaine Halek
July 18, 2021
Judith Elaine Halek
July 18, 2021
Judith Elaine Halek
July 18, 2021
Judith Elaine Halek
July 18, 2021
Every time I go to a bookshelf or open a drawer I see one of your books, your drawings, your calendars, and reflections of your heart represented in your art. You are indeed missed Mr. Frank and I hope you´re having a good time across the veil.
Scott Reisfield
July 19, 2020
Still miss you.
Memories and Imprints of YOU
Judith ELaine Halek
July 18, 2020
Hey Frank and family...you have never lost a moment in your absence with my thinking of you and appreciating all that you've left behind with your beautiful children, books and presence on the planet. Celebrating your life and your transition...hope you can send this little planet of blue some love during these challenging times. xoxo Judith
July 30, 2014
I was the doula at Tara's birth. I also was doing a bit of work with Frank on the phone to help him through the cancer. He is loved, held dearly in our hearts and is a beacon of light to all who are graced to have known him, worked, played, lived, shared life and conversations with him. Frank, you live on in our hearts and your beautiful work. Sincere condolences to his family.
mary maguire
July 26, 2014
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Gioia Riccio and to all of Franks family. I have very fond memories of Frank and what always shone through was his gentle nature and beautiful spirit. he will be dearly missed by me and my family.
July 25, 2014
Will miss you Frank. I will smile a wry smile for you.
One of my favorites
Scott Reisfield
July 25, 2014
Donald Austin
July 24, 2014
Frank was my classmate and friend during middle school at FCDS, and his gentleness, kindness, and affable nature were exceptional. I am deeply saddened by his passing, and I send my sincere condolences to his family.
July 24, 2014
Dear Frank's Family,
We knew Frank through our son, Peter Jones. We had dinner at his home, shared Passover celebrations with him, and we enjoyed his company multiple times over the years. We loved Frank. He was so gentle a person and had the sweetest of smiles. Frank was a beautiful Human Being. He contributed much needed softness and lovely, meaningful artwork, that touched all ages. We are proud to have have some of his art, along with our grandchildren. Frank also gave needed and wonderful support to many worthwhile areas of life, both in and beyond Charlottesville. We have been deeply saddened over his recent illness and now his dying. We celebrate all who Frank was, and we will do our best to help integrate all he stood for and carry it through all those with whom we encounter. Love and Peace, Diana and Larry Jones
dave madwed
July 24, 2014
i am very sad to hear of frank's passing.
July 24, 2014
Riccio family . My thoughts and prayers are with you . Joseph C Miro
Anne Murray
July 24, 2014
To Gioia, Mrs. Riccio and Riccio family,
My deepest condolences on the passing of your son and brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Anne
Ron Simms Jr
July 23, 2014
Frank will be in my thought's and prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Fred Frassinelli
July 23, 2014
I am very fortunate to have had Frank as a cousin and my closest childhood friend. He was a special person who took the time to appreciate those who were close to him and the beautiful things that this world offered. I will miss him so very much.
Fred Waugh
July 23, 2014
Frank was a friend through our FCDS days and on through our Deerfield Academy years. He had a heart of gold, an easy smile, an easy laugh and an enviable ability to be a truly happy person. Our loss is God's gain. We will all miss Frank, a great father, a great son, a great husband and a wonderful person. I hope all family members take comfort in knowing that God must have needed someone very special in his new home in heaven.
Jack and Cele Mac Donald
July 23, 2014
We are very sorry for your loss and pray that
We pray that all the
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We are very sorry for your loss and pray that God brings peace and comfort to the Riccio family during this difficult time.
Love, Jack and Cele
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Tim McClive
July 23, 2014
One great and glorious spark of light has been extinguished. Go in Peace , Frank.
Kim
July 23, 2014
We send our thoughts and condolences to all of Frank's family. Frank was a wonderful, kind soul. We will always remember him happily painting the faces of the children at Madeline's birthday parties and the way he would cheerfully stop to juggle or doodle for all the kids when he would come to pick up Tara. We still have Frank inspired artwork by Nathaniel and Madeline that hangs on our walls at home (the result of amazing art lessons from Frank), and Frank's Spirited Alphabet poster has a prominent spot in my classroom. We treasure the signed copies of his books given to us over the years. We will miss Frank's generous spirit and contributions to the Charlottesville community. He was one of the great ones!
July 23, 2014
Sending our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the entire Riccio family. God Bless, Leslie and Jack Donahue
Vivienne
July 23, 2014
In loving memory of a wonderful, kind, creative person. We will love you and miss your Frank . We had such a fun drive to CT. with Tara & Sadie. We had so much fun trick-or-treating with them, and watching them grow up. Even though they went their own direction, we remained friends. I wish I had hugged you the last time I saw you in June. I returned from vacation and you were gone. Rest in peace. Rob and John and Sadie and I will all treasure our memories, your art, and the short time we shared with you. You made the world a better place. Tara and A. J. were blessed. Hugs to them, and Mama Gioia, Fred, Nina, Lisa, and Gioia.
Joe Boccamazzo
July 23, 2014
RIP Frank
Tim Holleran
July 23, 2014
Such a sad day. Remembering all the laughter on Eames Blvd. He has left us art ... and his spirit.
Ann Wright
July 23, 2014
So sorry for your loss. May the good Lord bless you in your sorrows.
The Staff of Spear-Miller Funeral Home
July 23, 2014
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
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