Robert "Bob" Ricci

Robert "Bob" Ricci, 85 passed away at Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center on February 22, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.  Bob was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. He was the devoted husband of Josephine “Jo” Marie (Chirico) Ricci for nearly 57 years until her death in 2013.

He was born in Providence and was the middle son to John B. Ricci, Sr. and Mildred (Sullivan) Ricci.  He is predeceased by his brother, John (Jack) Ricci, Jr. of Houston, TX and Ralph Ricci of Providence.

Bob was predeceased by his eldest son, Bob, of Nashville, TN. He leaves a granddaughter, Nina Rose Ricci (a singer/songwriter), of Nashville. Bob leaves his daughter, Sharon Flanders, and son-in-law John D. Flanders, MD and granddaughter, Victoria Hannah Flanders of Saunderstown.  He also leaves his son and best friend, Steven J. Ricci, of Cranston, where they resided together through Bob’s illness.

Bob and Josephine were students at Central High School in Providence when they met.  Bob was an athlete and was an all-state wrestler and all-state football player and went on to play football for the U.S. Marine Corp. where he served with Honor, prior to their marriage in 1956.

Upon returning from military service, Bob attended Providence College utilizing the G.I. Bill.  Bob worked several part-time jobs at a time during his college years to support his family. He was a Providence patrol officer, a waiter at Maria’s restaurant, worked in factory jobs to name a few.  Bob went on to attain a total of five degrees from P.C., RIC and traveled to night school to attain his PhD from the University of Connecticut. Bob was a teacher, a guidance counselor, Director of Curriculum, and rose to Superintendent of the Providence School Department.  After retiring from the Providence School system, Bob and Jo, lived in Quincy, MA during the week where Bob served as Superintendent of the Quincy School department for several years before returning to RI and serving as interim Superintendent in Johnston and West Warwick school districts.  Bob was also on the RI Department of Health Dental and Chiropractic Boards and the Rhode Island College Alumni Association.  After retirement, Bob began painting beautiful bright colored coastal scenes as well as Norman Rockwell pictures.

Bob was first and foremost a devoted strong, kind, loving, caring, and supportive husband and father.  His passion was working hard in every area of his life to keep his family safe and help his family have a good life.  When not working at his jobs outside of the house, he was constantly busy working in the yard or home construction projects.

Bob’s hobbies including competing with Josephine in solving the daily crossword puzzles, reading the Wall Street Journal, driving to Newport Creamery to meet his Romeo friends for breakfast on Wednesday morning, all of which he continued right up to two weeks prior to his passing. He and Sharon had a standing lunch date every Friday, and although Bob did not have much of an appetite for the past 18 months, he would go just to have quality time with his daughter. They also would attend mass together on Sunday mornings.

Bob’s other best friend, Louis Marciano, of Cranston who lost his wife four months after Josephine passed, along with Steven, would get together three nights a week since 2013 and go to dinner, watch sports on TV and kept each other company. Bob was a very humble man.  Bob never had an unkind word to say about anyone.

Bob Ricci was the most self-less man and would sacrifice anything for his family.  Throughout Bob’s illness he never once complained.  Despite never having a drink in his life, he battled liver cancer and was found to have a genetic disease of alpha-1 anti-trypsan deficiency. He had a warm and genuine smile for members of the Kent Hospital staff for the two weeks prior to his discharge into hospice. We would especially like to thank Jennifer Oullette, DNP and Nancy Freeman, MD oncologist at the Providence VA Hospital as well as everyone we met at the VA for their care and respect of Robert during his treatment.

Bob is already greatly missed by his family and friends who know he is finished with his suffering on earth and that he has arisen to his place in heaven.  Flowers are respectfully omitted.  If you wish to do a good deed or give someone a smile in Bob’s memory, he will give you a smile from heaven.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, February 28th at 11 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston, followed by interment with military honors at St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.  VISITING HOURS are Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston.