Robert V. Ricker

Holden - Robert 'Bob' V. Ricker was born June 19, 1951, in Worcester, the son of the late Donald F. and M. Geraldine (Hackett) Ricker. Raised in Shrewsbury, he graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1969 and later attended George Washington University. He married Mary J. Whitney on February 14, 1981 in Shrewsbury and they have made Jefferson home for almost 40 years. 

Bob died at home with family by his side on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. He was 73. 

Bob worked hard all his life and had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. As a licensed real estate broker, he owned and managed Ricker Real Estate and was active in property management, as well as home construction. For the last 14 years Bob was the owner and operator of the well-known Shrewsbury landmark on Route 20, ‘Brody’s Diner’. It was at Brody’s where customers became friends and where he could be seen daily as the man behind the grill with the infectious smile. He retired in 2022.

Bob gave back to his community in various positions; he was a longtime member of the Holden Town Planning Board; he also served on the Holden Zoning Board of Appeals and the Central MA Planning Committee. He was a longtime member of the Shrewsbury Lions Club. 

In his later years, Bob welcomed and loved the role of ‘Papa’ to his grandchildren. He would take them fishing and ended each trip with a stop at Dairy Queen. In earlier years, he loved coaching his daughters in softball and was a lifetime Red Sox fan, always ensuring he and his daughter Jess attended a game every summer. He loved spending time at the Cape with family; the July 4th tradition of going out on his brother Richard’s boat was one of his favorites.

In heaven, Bob joins his daughter, Jodi M. Trani (April 2, 2016). 

Bob leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Mary J. (Whitney) Ricker. He also leaves behind his daughter, Jessica M. Bahde, her husband Stephen, and their children, Reed, Brynn and Liv of Sterling; his grandchildren, Jackson and Parker Trani of Shrewsbury; his son, Eric and his children, Aidan, Ella, and Abigail of Malden; his son-in-law, Brad Trani of Shrewsbury; his siblings, Richard Ricker and wife Alison of Shrewsbury, Jonathan C. Ricker of Shrewsbury, and Susan Phillips and her husband Michael of Warwick, Rhode Island; his stepmother, Louise Ricker of Pocasset; and many nieces & nephews. 

Bob’s family is eternally grateful to his medical teams and the entire staff of the Jewish Healthcare Center for the wonderful and loving care extended to Bob during his time of illness. His family is also infinitely grateful for the loving support, care, and assistance of Lena Roy, and the ever-helping hand of Bob’s good friend, Bob Kinchla. They are equally grateful to the Town of Holden EMS and police department for their kindnesses. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Bob's life by gathering for an evening wake in Saint Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson, on Friday, September 13th from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 14th at 10:30 a.m. in the church. Burial is private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or https://www.jhccenter.org/

Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.