Owen Ross "Captain America" Ricciardi

An Unfinished Tale

Owen Ross Ricciardi, known to many of us as Captain America, was born June 11th, 1985, in Fairbanks, Alaska before moving back to the Philadelphia area at the age of 2 and living in the area for most of his life. His only child status was revoked by his sister Carolyn. He was an amazing big brother to her and so many others who were honored to call him "brother". He has always been a wealth of wisdom, insight, and 90s music and pop culture knowledge. He loved exploring different foods and cultures and sharing that time with family and friends. He also loved to play trivia, watch feel-good comedies, and cheer for Philly sports.

He graduated from Penn State, a fact we are certain he would want mentioned. His love for ultimate frisbee and soccer was only surpassed by his love for his teammates. As a former Teach for America Corp Member, as a teacher, and later as a principal, Owen used his powers for so much good wherever he went – from Philly to Memphis and back again. He empowered his students and colleagues to find their voices and purpose. He made everyone he met feel heard, seen, and important. He cared so much and loved so many.

Owen not only built a caring and compassionate community but fortified it. He brought strangers together and helped forge new lifelong friendships. We are lucky to have so many other people to lean on and share these stories with in this time of sadness. For the past several months he did not have a single day where someone did not visit, check-in, and show their love.

He passed on January 28th with Danielle by his side.

He is survived by his wife of eleven years, Danielle Ricciardi and her family, their beloved dog Lily, his father Charles Ricciardi, his grandmother, Rosemary Ricciardi, his sister Carolyn (Justin Smith) Ricciardi, his nieces and nephews, along with his many students, colleagues, family and friends. Owen was predeceased by his mother Jennifer Lee Fuller-Ricciardi, maternal grandparents, paternal grandfather, and his cousin, Jake McHugh.

Love is Owen's legacy–it is what remains. Love fiercely. Be great. Finish his story.

We Are…

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jake's Dragon Foundation, to benefit childhood cancer research or donorschoose.org, to support teachers.

Family and friends are invited to attend his burial service on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 12:30pm at Churchville Cemetery at North and Southampton Reformed Church, 1380 Bristol Rd, Churchville, PA 18966-4329. Immediately following his burial, his family will receive friends from 1:00pm until his Funeral Service at 2:00PM in the sanctuary of North and Southampton Reformed Church..