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Richard Hile Obituary
April 1, 1952 - July 12, 2017
Viareggio, Italy
Richard "Rick" Hile, 65, passed away suddenly on July 12 in Viareggio, Italy, his residence since August 2015. Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Antinea de Rico, and his parents Mildred Hile and Alvin Hile. He is survived by his brother Alvin Hile, Jr. (Linda) of Cupertino, and sisters Deborah Poole (Robert) of Camarillo, and Mary Hile-Nepfel (Bill) of San Bruno; nephews Jonathan and Joseph Poole, and grandniece, Nakoa Poole.
Rick was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 1, 1952. He graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose in 1971. He went onto West Valley College from 1971-73.
Rick was a gifted athlete from a very young age starting with Little League and through his days in college. He excelled in baseball and basketball. Basketball was his passion. Rick had a competitive spirit that drove him to be one of the best athletes in the Bay Area. It was this spirit and his outstanding talent on the court that were admired by many. He was well-respected among his peers, coaches, and fans.
He was inducted into the Mitty Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 for his many accomplishments and numerous honors on the basketball court and on the baseball diamond. Rick led Mitty to the WCAL basketball championship in 1971, the first title for boy's basketball. Mitty advanced to the finals of the Central Coast Section Championship that season, a game Rick still talked about on his last trip to San Jose in May 2017.
After college, he embarked on a modeling career that brought him to Milan, Italy in 1980. It was in Milan he met his wife, Antinea de Rico. Rick and Antinea enjoyed a very special relationship that lasted 37 years. They shared a love that spread to others in a variety of ways.
Rick was a caring husband, son, brother, and uncle. He was a gentle and kind soul. Rick was never one to say a lot, but when he did speak it was worth listening. He observed everything. He was humble and always greeted you with a warm smile. His heart was full of love.
Our brother will be greatly missed. Rick made the world a better place. May his humble and kind spirit come and remain in each of us. Rest in peace dear brother. You competed well. You finished the race. You kept the faith.
A funeral mass was held at San Gioachimo Catholic Church on July 17 in Milan, Italy with the burial immediately following.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Hile
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Milan, Italy
January 25, 2024
I met Rick in Milan playing basket in early 80' and kept constant contact until about early 2010. He was a gifted and competitive basketball player and a very sweet and kind person. I learned just now about his passing; I am so sorry to hear about his leaving and wish he may rest in peace. Paolo Targa
Jay Camp
August 27, 2022
Rick, not only were you a great athlete but a true friend. With you at Mitty for 2 yrs and then had to transfer to another school. God Bless Rick, GOD BLESS you.
Robert Adao
August 20, 2018
I remember Ricky from the viewpoint of a younger kid looking up to an older one. He was 2-years older than me and I was in awe of his talent as a pitcher for GallenKamp in Briarwood Little League the summer of 1964. He pitched and hit like the superstar he was and his team won the pennant that year with an 18-3 record. I would also see him at St Lawrence Catholic Church in Santa Clara. I have thought about Ricky from time to time throughout the years and wondered what became of him. I'm very sad to hear of his passing. Rest in Peace Ricky.
steve prater
December 27, 2017
One of my favorite and most admired friends at Mitty........RIP
Cinzia Sarni
December 10, 2017
Ciao Rick we all Sarni Family miss you so much. We will never forget your first Xmas in Italy at our home in Porta Nuova. Dear Rick rest in peace
Tamara K.
November 3, 2017
Fun In Los Gatos, LA, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, over the Hollywood Hills in the night with the City lights and in all night dance clubs in LA, going to GIA. Rick was full of life, then importing and exporting diamonds. Life sparkled all around him in Los Angeles; with close friends. He was a story teller and could draw people in. That was the Rick we knew; and a moment in his life. Shine bright in heaven Rick.
Julie Motz
October 24, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear of Rick's passing. I met him when we were both visiting Florence many years ago and he later visited me, first in Manhattan and then at my home in the Hudson Valley. He had a sweetness about him that in very handsome men is often lost to their vanity. In Rick it was not. I also recall his suffering and his vulnerability and was honored that he showed these things to me. The world is diminished by his death.
Steven Haff
September 4, 2017
I grew up in Santa Clara, on Cabrillo Avenue in the 1960's, when the Hile family moved in down the street. I knew Rick only as a youngster, he being about 11, I would guess. They only stayed in that home a few years but Rick, being 2 years older than me, and their family made an indelible impression in that relatively short time.
You could tell already that Rick was a physically gifted kid. In sports he really was unlike any of us other kids growing up in the neighborhood. He had that quality of movement which was efficient and effective, that made you feel he could get the job done. He also carried himself with a kind of swagger, not arrogant, but uniquely him. I tried mimicking some of his mannerisms, because I wanted to be like Rick. I talk about Rick because of the circumstances but it was a pleasure to have known the whole family.
The parents were the kind of people you want to have in your neighborhood: wonderful examples of how to raise a family. Outwardly loving toward their own children and the children of the neighborhood. Rick's older brother Al was such a friendly, creative fellow. If memory serves me, he came up with the idea of building a whiffle ball field in an adjacent, open lot and created a carnival day at the family home, which all us kids attended with amazement. He was the first teenage boy I remember who actually seemed to act like we neighborhood preteens were ok. Who were these people! The girls were younger, so my interactions with them was minimal but I do know about Mary's future success with basketball and volleyball. Debra may have had similar success but I am simply not aware.
I would not have known about Rick's passing if not for my mother, who still lives in Santa Clara. Searching the internet brought me here.
I am glad I could add my thoughts and prayers for the family as they deal with the passing of their loved one. I am sure Rick and the other Hile family members made strong impressions on the other people in our neighborhood, besides me. We never really know how we affect others as we go through life and I feel I was blessed, by knowing Rick and the Hile family.
Kathleen Cotton
August 8, 2017
My sincere condolences. . I remember him playing basketball at Mitty.And winning the Championship. The scene of that win has never left me.. Thanks Rick. May you rest in Peace.
Brian Anderson
August 7, 2017
Very sorry to hear of Rick's passing. Incredible memories of this standout athlete and the many heroics he displayed at Mitty. Sincere condolences to the family.
Pat Mulcaire
August 6, 2017
I am very sorry to hear of Rick's passing. My condolences to the Hile family. I knew Rick while attending Mitty High School. He will be missed by everyone.
joseph montemagno
August 6, 2017
MY condolences to the Hile family, I was just talking to Carrol Jennings of Basketball coaching fame about Rick and the all talented atheletes in the Hile family just last week, Rick was a classmate of mine at Mitty, 1971 alum, Im deeply sorry for the loss , may God Bless you All, my deepest sympathy, Joey Montemagno
chris loafman
August 6, 2017
My condolences to the Hile family. Rick was my team mate and friend at Mitty. We had alot of good times. So sad to hear.
Bob Freitas
August 6, 2017
So sad to hear of Rick's passing. My condolences to the Hile family. Rick was a great friend at a very important time in my life.
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