Richard James Amato

Richard James Amato went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 4, 2020. He was surrounded by the love of his son, his two daughters, and two of his granddaughters. 
Richard (Richie) Amato is preceded in death by his father Angelo Anthony Amato, his mother Josephine Amato, his brother Joseph Amato, and his beloved wife Christine Amato. 
He is survived by his brother David Amato, his son Christian Amato, daughter Nicole Amato, daughter Tina Amato, and five grandchildren, Richard Amato (Rachel), Dustin Amato, Amanda Amato, Brooke Bertinelli (Brandyn) and Lauren Pyle, and 2 great grandchildren, Michael Bertinelli, and Jaxon Bertinelli, and godsons Nicholas D’Annunzio (Tara Solomon) and Nicholas Paglia (Angelica). He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 
Richard began his life in Cleveland, Ohio on August 16, 1941.Richard graduated from Parma High School, Class of 1959. He attended classes at Bowling Green State University. Richard worked in the family’s produce market with his father as a young man. When his father Angelo traveled to Vegas to attend to his bar business, he flew back home to Cleveland with a man named Nicholas Paglia. That’s when fate stepped in. Angelo (Gelo, as he was called) asked Richie to bring over some produce and fruit to Nick Paglia’s home. On that day, Gail Paglia ran into her older sister’s room, and said, “Chrissy, you have to come out and see this guy!!! He’s so cute.” Richard and Christine fell madly in love. He even took Christine (three years younger than he) to her senior prom. Richard proposed to Christine and they were married years later. They had three children, Richard Christian, Nicole Rachele and Tina Marie.  He lived with his wife Christine and children in Cleveland until they decided to make the move out to Las Vegas, in 1973.  
In Las Vegas, Richard began working in the casino industry at the Stardust and then eventually moved over to the Sands Hotel where he remained an employee for approximately 15 years, providing a beautiful and joyous life for his wife and their three children. He then began his own business and later retired with his wife by his side.  
Richie developed deep friendships easily with many friends, even considering his dear friends Joe and Marcia Slyman as family, and they enjoyed many weekends together, vacations together, and shared many Sunday spaghetti diners together with their families though the years. Richie was loved by so many people. His charisma kept people laughing for hours with his insatiable zest for life. 
That zest was somewhat dimmed when he lost his beloved soulmate Christine six years ago. 
Richie was known for his deep love for his family and being loved and admired by others. His greatest accomplishment was making people feel loved, and always had words of wisdom for anyone who desired it. His love was felt by his family and friends alike, and by anyone who came in contact with him. He always had a compliment for people, and was a man who genuinely meant all his words. 
Richie loved the Lord with all his heart, and prayed for people and their souls every day and night. 
Richie spent the last six years of his life having multiple daily phone calls with his brother David, enjoying many laughs, consistently keeping up phone visits with his cousins back in Cleveland, enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchild, loving and encouraging his children, and dreaming of dancing with his wife again one day...
It isn’t hard to believe that the Lord may have greeted him with these words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” -- Matthew 25:23
 
 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church 
130 N. Pecos Rd 
Henderson, Nevada 89074
(702) 361-8840
 
Entombment service for Richard and his beloved wife Christine will be directly afterwards at 12:00 p.m. at Palm Mortuary 
7600 S. Eastern Ave.
Henderson, NV 89123