Richard Joseph Cresci

Richard Joseph Cresci, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2025. Born on March 14, 1932, in Milwaukee, WI, to Ulisse Cresci and Mary Cleveland (née Gheller), Richard lived a long, full, and wonderfully colorful life. He was a devoted husband to Betty Cresci for an incredible 72 years and was endlessly proud of his son, Dino. He loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his four-legged sidekick, Leroy.

Richard had gasoline in his veins and a wrench in his hand from the start. A true car enthusiast, he belonged to countless car clubs and restored more classic cars than most people could name. His beloved 1960 Cadillac and 1958 Chevy Impala were two of his shining masterpieces.

A jack-of-all-trades doesn't even begin to cover it. Richard dove into every adventure life offered-owning restaurants, tackling property management, and running his most successful venture, Dick's Plastering. When it came to hobbies, he did not have a few… he had all of them: boxing, drag racing, barbering, cooking, playing just about every musical instrument he could get his hands on, fixing anything mechanical, and building houses, sheds, bars-you name it, he built it. Over time, he even became the ultimate pool shark. And in true Richard fashion, he spent his later years crafting anything and everything, usually armed with his trusty hot glue gun.

He was also a talented singer, dancer, and entertainer who could light up any room with his charm, humor, and razor-sharp wit. If Richard was nearby, you could count on laughter, good stories, and a whole lot of fun. Above all else, he will be remembered for the joy he brought to everyone around him and for that effortlessly cool, calm, and collected way he carried himself.

Richard is survived by his wife, Betty Cresci; his son, Dino (Kore) Cresci; his grandchildren, Crystal (Dan Wegner) Cresci and Joseph (Emily) Cresci; and his great-grandchildren: Milo, Braelynn, Mayla, Finn, Titus, and Mia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings and their partners: William (Marge) Cresci, Anna (Cliff) Orgill, Barbara (Terry Kitchenakow), James (Dawn) Cresci, and his half-brother, Leonard Cleveland.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, from 10:00 AM –12:00 PM at ST. BONIFACE CATHOLIC CHURCH (W204 N11940 Goldendale Rd., Germantown, WI 53022), with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow. A graveside blessing will take place on Friday, December 12, at Resurrection Cemetery (9400 W. Donges Bay Rd., Mequon, WI 53092) in the Chapel at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family.

A heartfelt thank-you to the wonderful staff at Preceptor Home Health & Hospice for the love and kindness you showed Richard in his final weeks.

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