Tom Ricca

Tom Ricca, 87, of Metamora, passed away at 7:16pm Thursday, May 15, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Tom was born June 19, 1937 in Peoria to the late Donald and Jennie Guilliams Ricca. He married Wanda Griffin on June 13, 1959 in Peoria; she preceded him in death on April 12, 2001.
Surviving are their children, Connie Ricca (Mark) of Seattle, WA, Karen McCreary (Hugh) of Toluca, Tom Ricca (Betsy) of Pembroke Pines, FL, Kay Svendgard (Gregg) of Land O Lakes, FL, Sue Volz (Stephan) of Eureka, and Debbie Seidenzahl (Pete) of Lake in the Hills, IL; grandchildren, Matthew (Dominique) and Danielle Ricca; Connor and Jack Svendgard; Zachary (Melissa) and Katie (Jordan) Volz; and Madeline, Rebecca, Lauren, and Caroline Seidenzahl; great-grandchildren, Sakari, Kenzo, and Kensi; brother, Mike; brother-in-law, Gene and sisters-in-law, Kay and Ginger; Tom was also a proud uncle to 41 nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Hank, Mary, Tess, Don, Sonny, and Jim.
Tom served in the US Army from 1956-1958, stationed in Panama where he was a sentry at the Canal. He went on to be a pipe fitter for 30 years at Caterpillar, retiring in 1993. He was a skilled woodcarver and woodworker. He was an accomplished handyman and was proud to be able to fix anything, especially with a roll of duct tape. He passed on many life skills to his children, making sure they could all bait a hook, check the oil in a car and change a tire if needed. He enjoyed fishing, birding and camping with his wife Wanda. Tom loved making biscuits-and-gravy for his grandkids and baked delicious rhubarb pies for guests. He was happiest when he was spending time with his family. He loved being with them and was always ready with a joke. He also enjoyed spending time in Florida and cheering for the Cubs and Metamora Redbirds.
A memorial open house will held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 3-5:00pm at Washington Christian Church. Family inurnment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s- Eureka to Peoria Run.