Thomas D. Ricciardo

Tomas D. Ricciardo, 83, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024, at his home in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Thomas was born in Newark Ohio on May 29, 1941. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Emilio and Aline Ricciardo.

Tom graduated from Newark High School and attended the Ohio State University branch. He served his country in the Ohio National Guard. Tom had a career with the US Air Force as a civilian for thirty-plus years.

On weekends he enjoyed sailing in his Hobie Cat with family and friends. After retirement, Tom and his wife Bonnie traveled throughout the United States in their fifth wheel. They shared wonderful memories of travel from the four corners of the US including Alaska and Canada.

Tom was a Corvette enthusiast and owned several over the years, but his baby was the 66 Corvette he bought in 1969 and has kept and restored over the years. Tom was a home builder and designed and built several beautiful ones.

He had to stay busy and worked several part time jobs and volunteered for Tidewell Hospice. He very much enjoyed listening to his clients' life stories and shared with them some of his own.

Tom is survived by his wife Bonnie, three brothers; Jerry Ricciardo (Hedy), Michael Ricciardo (Carol), Patrick Ricciardo (Sharon) and two sisters, Zoe (Sue) Sherrill (David), Janice Walters (Rex); two sons, Christopher Riccardo (Kristin), Shannon Ricciardo (Jenni fer); Stepchildren Stephanie Claussen (David), Tracie Brandon, Natalie Lawson (Seth), eighteen grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Tom spent many precious hours entertaining and playing with his beloved grandchildren. One of Tom's favorite quotes by George Bernard Shaw is, "We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing."

A Memorial was observed for Tom at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky on 16 June 2024 for family and a Celebration of Life at Pizza Cottage, Buckeye Lake, Ohio, his favorite pizza place, on June 21, 2024 for family and friends.

Tom will be forever missed.