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Mark Riccio Obituary
February 1, 2021
Formerly of Newburgh, NY
Mark Allan Riccio, 62, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021. He did so exactly the way he wanted: with dignity, at home, surrounded by the family he loved and who loved him. Mark was born and grew up in Newburgh, New York. For 30 years he served in the United States Army, from which he retired as a Colonel in 2011. His work for his country brought him to, among other places, the DMZ in Korea; Camp Pendleton, CA; EUCOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany; and Bagdad, Iraq during OI and OEF. When he spoke of his deployments, it was always clear that he understood his work to be centered on people, their safety, and their ability to find independence and meaning in their lives. As he served, Mark and Marlene (Pokrinchak) Riccio, his wife of 37 years, proudly and joyfully raised a family of three sons together: Alexander Riccio of Yorktown, Taylor Riccio (Sophie) of New York City and Marcus Riccio of Gloucester.
After retiring, he worked for TRADOC at Fort Eustis, to which he remained dedicated, as he was to all things he knew mattered, until his death. During this time, he pursued a variety of passions and hobbies. He founded and served as the first president of The Fordham Chapter of Southeast Virginia Alumni Association, interpreted the life of a Revolutionary War soldier (often as a powder monkey) with Lamb's artillery in Yorktown, VA, built sprawling Christmas villages each year in his living room, and never missed the opportunity to prod his family, in his own indomitable way, into a day-trip adventure to go antiquing, visit the site of a Civil War battle, or drive hours to find the perfect pastrami sandwich in Richmond.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marlene Riccio and his brother, Gary Riccio. He is survived by all four members of his family and two beloved sisters, Charlien Riccio of Newburgh, NY and Lisa Piaquadio of Wallkill, NY, both of whom were sources of laughter and connection through cherished visits and frequent phone conversations through the years.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date at the Post Chapel, Fort Myers with burial to follow in Arlington Nation Cemetery with full military honors. He will always be dearly loved and dearly missed.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Riccio
Zack and Linda Hubbard
December 15, 2021
Marlene, We had no idea that you lost Mark. May God hold you during this time of mourning.
Ralph Rios
February 16, 2021
What a great man...a life well lived ! Condolences to his family .
Dary Garcia
February 8, 2021
My deepest condolences to Marlene Riccio and the rest of her family. Mark was a great Soldier, Leader and Friend. He was the kind of person that would walk into a room and light it up with his exuberance and personality. At work he had a knack for making us all laugh with his sharp mind and funny anecdotes. He was also a consummate professional as a Soldier and civil servant. A man with a brilliant mind. At work he would tell us what a lucky man he was to have such a great family and wonderful wife who put up with his wild ideas. We didn’t doubt it. We are all better off for having known him.
He will be missed here on earth, but will be with God watching over his family. May he rest in peace.
Rich Rinaldo
February 8, 2021
Mark, my leader, my friend, rest in peace in sure knowledge that you have been respected and your service AMDG has been widely acknowledged. Marlene and family my deepest condolences. Rich Rinaldo
Patty Gilligan Squillace
February 7, 2021
Mark was one of my brother’s best friends from school growing up and the two of them together were so funny. He was a good guy who fought a long time and I know he will be dearly missed. May you find comfort in your memories.
Regina and Tom Gwiazdowski
February 6, 2021
Loved Mark! Fondly remember him as a fellow ROTC cadet at Fordham, a dear friend my husband Tom and me.
We had the added pleasure of a short time with him, Marlene and Alex as house guests while they were transferring out of Ft. Benning, GA. We were then lucky enough to be stationed nearby in VA, where we were able to be "plank" members of the Tidewater, VA Fordham University Alumni group he pioneered.
Mark always put 110% into his passions - it was a privilege knowing him and his wonderful wife. Marlene.
He will be missed by many - for his love of life, his dedication to family, friends and country, and for his insightful social media commentary. Mark was an amazing person with a character not to be forgotten.
God bless Mark and take care of his much loved and loveable family.
Marlene - sending hugs and prayers for you and the boys. May God comfort you as you struggle with this tremendous loss. May good memories bring smiles and may tears subside as you cherish a life richly lived. Love to you all.
Regina and Tom
Susan warr
February 6, 2021
We really enjoyed having Mark as a member of our Lamb's Artillery crew at Yorktown Battlefield. He was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and a great guy to have known. Not only did he often volunteer to be the "powder monkey", but he was Lamb's 'unofficial photographer' as he would offer to take photos for the visitors so they would have a photo of themselves with the gun and/or the crew. We will definitely raise a glass in his honor. Thank you Mark for your service and for letting me count you as a friend.
Tony Nicolo
February 5, 2021
I met Mark many years ago when I went to see the Fordham baseball team play at ODU. He approached me and asked if I would be willing to join a local Alumni Chapter he was going to form. I told him I would and it was the start of a rewarding friendship. If not for Mark, there would be no Fordham Alumni Chapter in this area.
Mark epitomized what every Fordham Grad should hold dear: faith, family, and service. He gave selflessly to our Chapter and I am proud to call him my friend. He will be missed by all. My deepest sympathy to Marlene and his family.
"Hail men of Fordham, hail! On to the fray!
Once more our foes assail in strong array.
Once more the old Maroon, waves on high.
We'll sing our battle song. We do or die."
Rest in peace, Mark.
Charles Bruschi
February 5, 2021
Marlene you have my deepest sympathy. I’ll always remember how he showed up one weekend at 555 needing a place to stay then became a permanent fixture, first with Tom and I then with you across the hall. He was a great friend back then and I’m sure he has been a wonderful husband and father. It’s been 40 years but he is not forgotten. God bless you and cherish his memory.
Bob Visbal
February 5, 2021
Wolf 12 Ancient, Final Net Call! We will miss you brother; you are gone but never forgotten. We had some good times ridin' the high desert at NTC, best team I ever served with during my 30 years in uniform, and you always had some great one liner's to keep us rolling! I'll see you again someday on Fiddler's Green and we'll toast our comrades & Saint Barbara with some Artillery Punch!
Wolf 08, Spear 27 & Wolf 13 Ancient (to the nth degree)
Walter Gilliam
February 5, 2021
Marlene, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to you and your family during this time of grief. I was fortunate to serve with Mark in the late 80's/early 90's at the National Training Center, FT. Irwin, CA. As you know, Mark was a proud Artilleryman and great officer for whom will be missed by "Red Legs" nationwide. It was an honor and pleasure to have know him and call him a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family now. God Bless You.
COL (R) & Mrs. Walter L. Gilliam
Mark Joseph Mooney
February 5, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Rest in Peace my P/R & Army brother! Your torch has passed to others to follow your example.
dorrie thompson
February 5, 2021
Marlene and sons: So very sorry to hear of Mark's passing. He was so instrumental in bringing us all together around our common Fordham achievements, friendships and shared memories of college days past. So very glad our paths crossed thanks to Mark. I will remember him fondly.
John J Bastone
February 5, 2021
RIP Soldier. Thank you for your years of dedicated service to God and Country.
Irene Kreis
February 5, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jennifer Short
February 5, 2021
I never had the privilege of meeting Mark, but could see his love for his family and devotion to his country in Marlene’s post on Facebook. May his family be guided through life without him by God’s hands and they use their memories with him for healing and joy.
Pat Crawford
February 4, 2021
My heart breaks at the thought of a world without Mark. I send my condolences to the love of his life, Marlene and all his family. It was such a pleasure to celebrate our 40th High School Reunion with Mark and I will miss his sense of humor, love of life, and faithfulness to all that is good. May God bless him now and always.
Paula Yablonsky
February 4, 2021
It was an honor to know Mark. I’ll remember our lunch at the Mountain Brauhaus fondly and miss our political arguments on Facebook. My deepest sympathies to all the family at this time.
Angie Colwell
February 4, 2021
Marlene & family,
Carl & I have you in our daily prayers.
May God give you peace & comfort in the coming days.
God Bless,
Carl & Angie
Greg d'Arbonne
February 4, 2021
Mark was a great American, husband and father and friend. Rest easy Soldier, we have the watch from here.
Janine Pokrinchak Dubik
February 4, 2021
Mark was my favorite brother-in-law.
Rest in peace.
JoAnn Woodward
February 4, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. JoAnn Riccio Woodward and Family.
Janine Pokrinchak Dubik
February 4, 2021
Mark was my favorite brother-in-law. He will be missed.
dan gilligan
February 4, 2021
Mark's lived that rare mixture of kind hearted commentary of the human condition flavored by his keen observations of irony. A best friend from day one of NFA to the last day. Loyal, generous, empathetic, loving and strong beyond description- he has set a bar for living as a man, brother, husband father and soldier that will challenge me the rest of my days. Love you brother. Dan Gilligan
Joseph Mason
February 4, 2021
Over hill, over dale,
As we hit the dusty trail,
And the caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the caissons go rolling along.
I met Mark in Germany at LDCK. We served as commanders together. He was someone I admired and looked up to. He was a fine red leg and a FINER MAN. The world is a little darker with his passing. He will be missed.
Bill Strasburg
February 4, 2021
Our condolences to the Riccio Family on the loss of a loved one. Mark was a treasured member of Lamb's Artillery at Yorktown.
Mark, thank you for your service to our Great Nation.
Rest in Peace.
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