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Francis Tola Obituary
Francis "Richie" Tola (1938-2024) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Monday, October 28th. Born on July 7, 1938, he was 86 years young. For those who knew him, Richie was the greatest guy who had passion in everything he did. Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, he was a legendary barber for nearly 68 years beginning in 1957, one year after graduating from Trenton Central High School and serving in the National Guard. He was also a motivational mentor and hitting instructor to scores of kids and adolescents who ever played the game of baseball. He was revered for helping anyone and everyone who wanted it. The beloved "Richie the Barber" was also a terrific storyteller as well as an infinite source of knowledge, recounting true tales about the Mafia, baseball, Sicily (his home country), movies and anything medical related. As one longtime friend and customer tells it, "before there was Google, there was Richie." He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Pam Tola, son Richard, daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Tuffy, four grandchildren, Matthew and Samantha Tola, and Riley and McGwire Tuffy, brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Carolyn Tola, his four nieces and pre-deceased sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Joseph Pallotti. Per his wishes, there will be no funeral services. There will, however, be a Celebration of Life held in his honor on November 10th from 4-6pm, in the main batting cage at Nottingham Little League. In remembrance of Richie's life and love, the family requests any donations be made to "Nottingham Little League", P.O. Box 2521, Hamilton, NJ 08690. Thank you for being his friend, patron or baseball player he influenced throughout his wonderful life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Francis Tola
Sponsored by The Family.
Don Dickson
March 22, 2025
Rich, don´t know if you recall but my wife and I interviewed you gor Bucknell University and recommended you to them and you chose Whatton. You offered me a job once in New York. I worked for Trenton State College for five years and starting in 1986 I got a haircut from your dad every three months or so til October of 2024. I became your fathers mentor on diabetes diets and always marvelled at the huge stash of blueberries your mom kept in the freezer.. dhe was a got diet too for him. He and I also talked investment stategies vfor years un diabetes became more the conversation mode. He was a great batting coach and barber. No one coulld touch him on conversationalist abilities either. Early on at the Trenton barber shop I gave him an H R Bush caricature I drew and he hung it up in barbershop for ten years or more... also gave him a racy slumber view of a guy and gail from an English famous film... can´t remember the name of the film.. not really racy. He was the man!!!! I like your picture of him in the cowboy hat... and yeah, he was soooo proud of you... I haven´t had a haircut since September... don´t know what to do and I am sure the cuts won´t be as entertaining elsewhere .. good luck to you - later, Don Dickson
Paul Tapino
January 1, 2025
I always enjoyed seeing Mr Tola. Full of stories, we chatted about anything and everything!
I´ll miss him.
Robert Litowitz
December 4, 2024
The Litowitz Family sends sincerest condolences. "Richie" was our father's friend, counselor, and of course, world-class barber, for decades. He was one of a kind. His memory truly will be as a blessing.
Grandchildren
November 30, 2024
Chuck Potzer
November 29, 2024
My condolences to the family for your loss. A genuinely nice guy and my barber in my early teen years before moving to PA.
Cutting my hair Richie talked baseball and clearly proud of his coaching and boys baseball success.
I tucked the Trentonian above his shop AC unit 6 days a week for several years. He cut my hair every two weeks. We were each other´s customers. 35 cents for the Trentonian ....$1.25 for my haircut. Those were the days.
Glad I got to see him a few times pre Covid at the annual North Trenton Black Friday dinners.
Peace be with Rose Mary, the family and all those who knew and loved Richie.
Tola
November 22, 2024
Karen
November 22, 2024
Thank you everyone for the heartfelt warm memories. My brothers and I will cherish these stories forever.
My all time favorite Richie moment/s are the simple ones "when anyone one of his grandchildren" walked into the room his eyes would light up, you could feel the love beaming through his smile, and of course the lengthly conversations. We all know he loved to talk, and tell stories well it was no different with his grandchildren- regardless of their age. He would talk to them for hours about anything and everything, they loved it as much as he did. He had a special way in communicating, with those he loved, he would make them feel as if they were the most important person in the world, and to him they were, they were his universe. If you knew Richie well you know that they were all he talked about. He was so proud of them, in every way. The joy they have brought him will live in their hearts forever-knowing they were loved so much. RIP Dad we will continue to make you proud. Love you- your daughter KT
Joe B.
November 19, 2024
He was my barber for 48 years.
Great barber and person.
RIP my friend.
His son, Richard
November 11, 2024
Thanks to everyone who attended our Celebration of Life last night...it was truly awesome! And a special thanks to Nottingham Little League as well as my sister Karen (and everyone else) who helped make this a celebration to remember! RIP to my beloved Dad
Mark Persicketti and Family (Joy, Stephanie and Kristen)
November 10, 2024
I grew up down the street from Richie and his family. I first met him walking home from my game at Nottingham Little League when I was about 10-11 years old. And our baseball bond was formed. He would watch me play and he was great for my confidence, as he complemented my ability - I think he was really encouraging me, as I never thought my ability matched what he told me, but it helped me tremendously. As kids, he took us to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees. I used to mow his lawn and delivered the Sunday Times to his house, and even though he only received the Sunday paper, he was the best tipper on my paper route. He cut my hair for about 35 years, and it was always fun being with Richie. Thanks for everything l
Leslie Fontana
November 8, 2024
Richard - I have lovingly called you "the Tols" for many years, and I am so sorry for your loss. I still think of you occasionally and remember the good old days in Philly. I am sending condolences and love.
Mary Beth Murdza
November 6, 2024
My deepest condolences to you and your family Karen. Your father was loved and will be missed by many
Dr Bill Gessler
November 6, 2024
Haven't seen Richie in a few years.
Always appreciate how he helped me as a teen with my swing!
He was also a friend who I enjoyed talking with.
Condolences to the family.
He had a good life and made a positive impact on many people. Peace, my friend.
You will always be remembered.
Crivelli Family
November 6, 2024
Sending love,thoughts and prayers to you & your family....Richie touched so many lives in a very special way....We were blessed to have known him.
Kelly Clark Larkin
November 5, 2024
Mr.Tola , Richie Tola ,,,many memories at 16 Doreen Road growing up with Karen ! Appreciate all the words of wisdom May he rest in peace with our Creator and amongst the baseball gods
The DeBlois Family
November 5, 2024
Our sincere condolences to all of the family,
With love, The DeBlois Family
His Son, Richard
November 4, 2024
The Shop, aka, 39 E Paul Avenue, Trenton NJ
Tom Zuccarello
November 4, 2024
My condolences to the family
May Ritchie Rest In Peace
I owned Zookies across the street and a lot of Ritchie´s customers either had a drink before or after their visit !!
Philip T. Ferrara, Ewing.
November 4, 2024
When Richie cut my hair and learned I had an older 1973 Eldorado, which I still have, he wanted to see it. I brought it to his shop one day, allowed him to drive it, and if I recall correctly, he purchased one himself. RIP Richie, never to be forgotten.
Larry&Rosemary Marinari
November 3, 2024
Truly a renaissance man my barber, storyteller,mafia expert, my sons batting coach,tough guy ,movie critic and the toughest gutsy guy I ever knew but most of all a good friend I will miss forever glad I was able to say goodbye a few days before he passed. A man who left his mark
Joe Maruca
November 3, 2024
My deepest condolences to Richie´s family. His love for them showed every time he spoke about them.
I´m truly blessed to have had Richie in my life. I´ve been wearing his hair cuts for 42 years now, my whole life. To call him my barber is possibly the greatest understatement of all time. Richie was my barber of course but he was also a teacher, a voice of wisdom and most importantly my friend.
Richie created a place for all of us. A place to hang out, a place to meet new friends, a place to hear and tell stories, and a place for a few things we can´t say out loud. The memories, the stories and the smiles were his greatest gifts.
A few of my favorites; all day Saturday hair cuts on Paul Avenue with my dad, brother and a cast of characters from North Trenton they could make movies about. Monday night 9pm hitting lessons at Notre Dame HS with Richie, my dad, brother, Larry (MLB player at the time) and a tee ball player with his grandfather. I'm not sure if the lessons were more fun or the 11pm burritos from Taco Bell on the way home while all of my friends were without a doubt sleeping. My brother and I were 11 and 13 years old. The home run contests during those lessons between my brother and Larry where Richie would call them based on the sound the ball made off the bat. Standing in the outfield with Richie and Ann at Nottingham Little League watching Dominic play ball. A classic, the night before Thanksgiving with me, Richie and Dominic in the Robbinsville shop on the phone with the Apple support girl from Colorado Springs for three hours (we did get Richie´s phone fixed, that part only took the first hour). One of the most special, the day this past year where on a single Saturday Richie cut my fathers hair, my brother and his son´s hair and me and my son´s hair. That was epic and made Richie so happy.
Richie loved to live and taught me some important lessons I try to live by. I used to joke with him and say he cracked the code everyone wants. Stay active, surround myself with friends and family, help anyone you can, have purpose and LIVE! He told me if he could do a hair cut everyday until he dies he´d take it. He was close when he cut my hair nine weeks ago on his back patio. It was a classic day with Richie where not only did I get an amazing hair cut, the one I'm wearing today, but he, Richard and I hung out and talked for hours. God smiled on us with one of those perfect NJ days me and Richie talked about, 70 degrees, sunny, breezy, no humidity and not a cloud in the sky.
Richie brought people together, he shared stories, he gave us memories. So many people, places and times live on because of Richie´s stories. Now a piece of Richie will live on through each of us and the stories we share. I´ll end on this, Keep Living, of all the things Richie taught me, I believe that's the most important.
With Love, Joe Maruca, Ann and Dominic.
Joanne Liwacz
November 3, 2024
Rich was such a great guy. I was so lucky to have worked with him these last 19 + years by myself. I believe God puts people in your life for a reason. Not only did we share the same birthdays but, he was so special to me. We had a special bond. He was like a "Uncle´´. My prayers go out to Roe and the whole family. Sincere condolences. Miss you greatly. Love, Joanne
ernie petrangeli (yellow corvette)
November 3, 2024
richie was my only barber for the last 55 yrs. always talked about horse racing & the mafia. see you on the other side. rip
Fred Pagano
November 3, 2024
Close friend and a great guy you will be missed he helped our son greatly glad we had a chance to talk in the last couple weeks god bless you and your family Fred Pagano
Vincent Adams
November 3, 2024
Just seen this and it has been exactly 17 years since my DAD passed away from Cancer!! Both my Dad ( RICHARD "DIAMOND" ADAMS ) and my Godfather RICKY ZOTTOLI were both Great friends of Richie since their Teens and all went to TCHS class of 1956 Together!! I remember a few times being in the car with both my Dad and Ricky as a kid and them driving To N. Trenton to go Break Richie´s Chops ( in better words) I have a photo of the 3 of them together taken in the early 1970´s I believe in the Barber Shop!! I also remember the photo from the BOBSHELA 56 Richie wrote "DIAMOND WISEGUY" JUGHEAD!! I also have this laying around somewhere!! To You his Family I send my SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES to all of you during this difficult time! Just know he is with GOOD FRIENDS NOW, who I know greeted Him the moment they were reunited and I can only believe there is a lot of loud noise and laughter and Ball Breaking going on this very moment!!
My Heart goes out to you all, God Give You The strength You will need!
Vincent Adams
( Son of Richard "DIAMOND" Adams 1938-2007 )
Jim Zombeck
November 3, 2024
Richie gave me my first haircut in the late 50s... continued to cut my hair for 65 years. Great guy who will be missed but his stories will be remembered! My condolences to his family.
Nick marino
November 3, 2024
Richie was my barber since I was 10 years old on Paul ave. More than that , he was my friend and we
would talk baseball and horse racing, and who we were betting in the Ky. Derby. Our conversations never seemed to end and my wife would comment on how short my hair was cut. He was one of a kind and was one of the good guys. Condolences to his wife and family.
Malcolm R. Casway
November 3, 2024
so sad to hear this, he was my barber until 1961 when i went into the Marine corps. please accept my condolences to his family. may he rip.
mal casway class of 57.
Mitch Kirkuff
November 3, 2024
Richie was not only my barber but a great friend for over 60 years. He will be missed by many for a long time to come. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Ed Riley
November 3, 2024
I´m so very sorry that a man I truly loved and admired has passed. Since I was a young kid I sat in the barber shop on East Paul for hours, days, weeks and years. He truly was my mentor and educator. So sorry to the Tola Family. May Richie Rest In eternal peace.
Bob and Barb Esbrandt
November 2, 2024
So sorry to hear of our cousin Richie´s passing. He was our Best man and also godfather to our son Vincent. He wanted to not only be his Godfather but give him his first haircut which he did. Condolences to his wife Roe, son Sam and his wife Pam, son Richard, daughter Karen and her husband, 4 grandchildren and his beloved brother Ronnie and his wife Carol. Rest in peace Richie, prayers are being sent. Your cousin Bob and wife Barb and children Vincent and Pamela Esbrandt.
Joe and Jeanette
November 2, 2024
Are you kidding me ! On certain subjects he was better than Goggle
To all of you Jeanette and I send our most sincere condolences. No one like him I´ve ever known!
Aaron Vurgason
November 2, 2024
Richie cut my hair basically my whole life until I moved to FL 10 years ago. He gave me hitting lessons as a kid on my grandfathers farm. I haven´t had my hair cut much in the past ten years where I didn´t think of him.
Guy Verde
November 2, 2024
Richie Transformed my right handed Grandson into a left handed batter many years ago. He had a very successful baseball career as a result. Rich and I had a wonderful camaraderie and friendship. I will sincerely miss him. His love for his family was next to none. Guy Verde
Barbara Kolczynski Sykes
November 2, 2024
My husband Les was a customer of Richie's on Paul Ave. Richie even came to our house to cut his hair after Les had surgery. I was a classmate, class of 1956. Roe, I remember our trip to Lake George and Saratoga, great time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Barbara Kolczynski Sykes
Fred Angeline
November 2, 2024
Richie related wonderful stories
about many mutual friends,
which I loved to hear & discuss.
John and Pauline Persicketti
November 2, 2024
John and I are so sad to hear of Richie´s passing. John grew up on Doreen Road and was close to the Tola family. John loved talking "baseball" with Richie. May Richie rest in peace. Our condolences to the Tola Family. John and Pauline Persicketti
LAF
November 2, 2024
Rich, condolences on your loss. A man of conviction develops strength of character in those around him. Your Dad was that man. I am certain he was most proud of you and his family. Rest in Peace Francis
Charlie Boyle
November 2, 2024
I was one of Richie's first customer when he worked at Veto's barber shop on Paul Ave. and I was in St. James grammar school. Always enjoyed my visits and chats with him!
RIP my friend!
Charlie B
Jack Higham
November 1, 2024
In 1968 we moved across the street from Ritchie and Roe Tola and family. Needless to say the many interesting and humorous conversations over the years will be missed sitting on the front steps. Our condolences go out to the Tola family for their loss. Till we meet again my friend. Jack,Linda,John Jr. Higham
Henry Poreda
November 1, 2024
I sat in Richie's barber chair for many years in the late 50's and 60's...Richie was a classy guy and a great story teller. My sincere condolences to his entire family. He will be in my prayers tonight.
Henry Poreda, Las Vegas
John Nalbone
November 1, 2024
They say you never forget your first time.
Mine came on an unseasonably warm day in April on the baseball field at Notre Dame High School.
I had never done this before. Not in real life, anyway. Dreams maybe. I had seen other people do it on television - grown men - but I never thought I would be one of them. I was just a 15-year-old kid. After a forgettable season on the freshman baseball team, I was elevated to the ND varsity in 1982 just before our game against archrival Ewing, which had their ace, Shannon Patterson, on the mound.
For the entire winter previous, Richie Tola picked me up from my North Trenton home and drove me to the batting cage in the dusty bowels of the high school, convinced he could make me into a legitimate threat as a switch-hitter. He said my lazy swing, bad mechanics and medium stature would probably not serve me well as a strictly right-handed hitter. If I wanted to continue playing baseball, and was serious about it, learning to bat left-handed was the only way, he insisted. Oh, and I had to quit playing basketball, which I loved. That part was not negotiable. There simply wasn´t enough time.
I grew up watching the likes of Pete Rose, Ted Simmons, Eddie Murray and Reggie Smith bat from both sides on baseball´s biggest stage, but I never thought I could. That´s the thing about Richie. As humble of a guy as he was, he had this uncanny and quirky way of injecting confidence and desire in you - confidence and desire you never thought you had.
An entire winter of hitting balls left-handed off a batting tee in my Brunswick Avenue basement ensued. I can still hear the tennis balls smacking into the sheetrock wall behind the hockey goal netting, and my dogs scurrying around the floor helping me retrieve them. Bucket after bucket of green tennis balls ricocheting around the room like pinballs eventually led to my first varsity at bat in the left-handed batter´s box that April day at Father John D´Onofrio Field.
"First good fastball you see, line drive up the middle," Richie bellowed from behind the screen as I dug in.
As if scripted, the first fastball I saw was center-cut. My swing path from the left side was just as he taught me - chopping down and ripped almost straight from the Charlie Lau school of hitting. There was no such thing as 'launch angle' back then. "Stay inside and finish high" kept echoing in my head as I saw Shannon's 90 mph heat coming my way. I hit a screaming line drive back through the box headed straight for Patterson´s face. He barely snared it with his glove hand, likely saving him from a terrible head injury. I was out, of course, but the dye for a very successful and rewarding high school and collegiate career culminating in an NCAA All-Region Team selection at Kean University as a senior in 1988 had been cast.
I could not have done that without him. It's that simple.
Richie Tola did not just do that for me. He went out of his way for hundreds of other kids like me. For free. It didn't matter whether you were rich or poor, went to Notre Dame, Trenton High, Steinert or Lawrenceville Prep. He gave of himself for kids he thought had potential. Kids he thought had a real shot.
Richie saw things in me I never knew existed. Countless hours in the barber´s chair and batting cages led to a friendship that lasted well over 40 years. Talking about hitting and the history of North Trenton in the shop was something I looked forward to every week.
The Francis "Richie" Tola who passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on Monday was a proud man and a one-of-a-kind friend, mentor, husband, father and grandfather.
I already miss him asking me how much I weigh, why I went out so far out of the strike zone to get one of the game-winning hits for ND against Essex Catholic in the 1983 State Championship (even all these years later!), telling me what a terrible job I did cutting my own hair and how tall my daughter would have been if she was born in a month other than August.
Rest easy, Richie. You´ve earned it. Villalba awaits.
Thanks again for that first time.
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