Jon Riccardi

1958 - 2023

Jon Riccardi
March 17, 1958 - October 10, 2023
Jon Edward Riccardi was born on March 17, 1958 in Greenbrae, California, and passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2023 at his home in Berkeley, California.
Jon was raised in a traditional Italian-American household with his parents Carmelo (Mel) and Gloria (Pochini) and brothers Paul and Robert. Food and family were the centerpiece of his upbringing, as was his lifelong love of sports.
A skilled athlete, Jon played baseball, basketball, and golf through high school. Jon graduated with the Marin Catholic High School class of 1976 and continued his education at U.C. Santa Barbara, majoring in political science. His "informal major" however, was intramural sports. Jon would play any game, including underwater hockey. After completing his undergraduate education, Jon spent a year in Italy traveling, eating and learning to speak Italian.
Upon returning from Italy, Jon joined his father and brother Paul in the family business, MPR Financial in Albany. Jon's outgoing personality and strong work ethic made him an instant success; he was unique in his sincere interest in his clients and coworkers.
Jon was a devoted father. On November 28, 1994, Jon and his former wife, Alice Wilson welcomed their beloved daughter Natalia into the world that included a large extended family and supportive friends who remain part of her life today. Natalia's enthusiasm for life, food and travel are a reflection of her mother and father; she is the living embodiment of them both.
Jon was a lifelong athlete and continued to play basketball, tennis and golf with a passion. Another sport he excelled in was supporting the Golden State Warriors. Jon was a season ticket holder for twenty-five years, sitting courtside near the Warriors bench. Jon and Steph Curry had a pre-game ritual during which Jon would give Steph a stick of Beeman's gum and cheer him on. Warriors' fans near and far knew Jon as "Hat Man." He was easily recognized by his signature fedoras and his highly animated enjoyment of the game.
If Oracle Arena was his first home, the kitchen was his second. Jon would say that he learned to cook "by osmosis" as a hungry boy watching Nonni Riccardi, and his fervor for food never changed. Jon was an outstanding chef, "unappointed" food critic, and a member and supporter of the Berkeley culinary community.
Jon will be remembered by many for his generosity. He delighted in hosting dinner parties, a round of golf, a visit to his vacation home and friends joining him at Warriors' games. He wanted everyone to experience and to love the things that he loved. It could be said that Jon was unbridled in how he expressed love, but that's what made him so unique. He was wholly compassionate, cared deeply for others, and always supremely funny.
Jon was predeceased by his parents, Mel and Gloria Riccardi.
Jon leaves his wife Catherine Cappelletti Riccardi, daughter Natalia Riccardi, brothers Paul (Connie) Riccardi and Robert (Deborah Bowman), niece Danielle Riccardi and nephew Rob Riccardi. Jon also had a special relationship with his father-in-law, Dino Cappelletti. He will be missed by his beloved dogs Luca Brasi and Cha Cha.
A celebration of Jon's incredible life will be held after the first of the year.
memorial donations may be made to:
Eat, Learn, Play: https://www.eatlearnplay.org/
Edible Schoolyard: https://edibleschoolyard.org/