Daniel Riccio, Jr., 68, of North Haven passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the St. Raphael campus/Yale New Haven with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 44 years to Josephine “JoAnn” D’Agostino Riccio. Daniel was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma on February 23, 1948; son of the late Daniel and Opal Locjnanitay Riccio, Sr.; served his country faithfully in the US Army as a Sergeant during the Vietnam era; graduated from the University of New Haven in 1975 obtaining a Bachelors degree in marketing and a Master’s in Public Administration in 1981 and worked for the Town of North Haven in Community Service retiring in September of 2015. He donated blood for many years until being diagnosed with leukemia; was commander of the Murray Reynolds American Legion Post #76 and also participated in the “Eyewitness to History” program at North Haven High School. He was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church; supported the CT Special Olympics & the Leukemia Foundation; manager of three American Legion baseball teams and co-chaired the annual Memorial Day parade in North Haven. Daniel was a 3rd degree member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Father James F. Donaher Council #3733; was past faithful Navigator for the Honorable W. Patrick Donlin Assembly #2459; member of the Committee for Columbus Day Parade and on May 24, 2014 was declared Daniel Riccio, Jr. Day in the town of North Haven. He was awarded the Robert B. Dodds award from 1999-2000 for outstanding contribution to the UNH athletic program and received the Beacon Award in 2014; was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame in 2015 which recognizes veterans who continue to give back to their communities. Brother of Ascanio “Butchie” J. Riccio of Concord, NC. Also survived by several nieces and nephews and his step mother Donna Riccio.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Friday morning 9:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Barnabas Church at 10:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3 Landmark Square, Suite 330 Stamford, CT 06901.
So very sorry for your loss. Dan was wonderful man. He always made me smile.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dan always made me laugh. His big heart touched many people
including me. His thoughtfulness will always be remembered. Dan, I will miss you.
I would like to extend my deepest condolences for your loss. After working with Dan for just a short time, it was easy to recognize how well respected and how highly valued he was as a member of the community.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I would like to extend my deepest condolences for your loss. After working with Dan for just a short time, it was easy to recognize how well respected and how highly valued he was as a member of the community.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rest easy Dan. You were a good man, and your contributions to the Town of North Haven and the American Legion benefited many … I’m gonna miss your easy way …
I’m sorry for the lost in your family. I pray that Jessus will receive Dan with open arms and Love. I haven’t seen Dan since high school, he was a fun person to be around and with. What has been mentioned about him I’m happy at the thought that he brought happyness and good will to the people in North Haven. Peace be with You Dan, You will be missed.
Peace be with you Dan, you will be missed.
So very sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. All of us in the Tiwn Clerks office sends our sympathies.
I was so sorry to read this,, Dan was very nice to me when we worked together at Associated Trucking,, may he rest in peace,,
I am so very sad to hear of the passing of a wonderful man. Kind, thoughtful and a great sense of humor. He always asked every time he called how’s the family, Mom, Mr. Stan and Stanley whether he called once or five times he always asked. He was a true hero and he showed so much compassion for others. The Memorial Day Parade will never be the same without you. I will never forget you Dan you’ll always be in my heart – say hi to my Mom for me….she’ll tell you some jokes. Josephine I am so very sorry for your loss – my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time but know this…. he will be missed by all! RIP
I will miss your friendship as a neighbor and a classmate
Your dedication to family, town, and country should be a model for all to follow
Rest In Peace
I will miss you as a neighbor and a classmate
Your dedication to family, town, and country should be a model for all to follow
Rest In Peace Dan
Very sad news. Commander Dan was a warm, caring and giving individual that will be dearly missed by his friends, peers and the Town of North Haven. My condolences to the family.
Dan holds a very special place in my heart. His kindness always came through and his words and his actions and both his work for the town and for all the voluntary organizations he supported. He will be missed
Dan will always hold a very special place in my heart. His kindness shown through and both his words and his actions, and his work for the town and in the many volunteer organizations he supported. He will be missed
Above all else, Dan Riccio Jr was a Gentleman and a Patriot. I had the pleasure of working with him during the Columbus Day Parade and numerous wreath laying ceremonies. He was an example to us all of decency and compassion for his fellow man. He shall be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to the Riccio family. Dan was a gentleman, patriot and a great citizen of North Haven. I’m saddened by this news and pray he is at peace.
Dan was a balcony person – he always made people feel better about life. Thank you, Dan for your service and your smile.
Dan was a balcony person; he always made everyone around him feel better. Thank you, Dan for your service and your smile.
Very Sad to see this…..Dan was one of the biggest North Haven baseball fans around. Will be missed. RIP Dan!
We lost a great veteran. My sincere condolences to Dan’s family.
My deepest sympathy. Dan was a true gentleman. He will be deeply missed.
The “Eyewitness to History” Program/Event will never be the same without you Dan. Thank you for providing North Haven High School students with unforgettable eyewitness accounts of history! Thank you for your kindness, support, and passion to teach our youngsters about history! You will certainly be missed!
Dan Riccio was a man of his word, Dan Riccio cared about the youth of North Haven, I had the opportunity to work with Dan Riccio these past 16 years. He was the General Manager and Commander of Post 76, I was the baseball coach. Dan attended almost every home game, no other General Manager in our zone did that . Dan knew every player on the team and he followed every player once the player’s Legion careers were over. Dan knew that playing American Legion baseball was part of the person’s development, Dan instilled respect and discipline in the North Haven Post 76 Baseball Program, I am glad to have met and come to know a man like Dan Riccio
Joann,
we are all very devastated to learn of Dan’s demise. it truely is a great loss. we were all awaiting for his return back to us. you and your family are in all of our prayers. we all loved Dan very much.
Sincerely, Milne 1 staff
We will miss our dear friend and neighbor. Peace be with Dan and God Bless . . . Psalm 91 Dan!
Danny Boy, I will always remember Katz deli, Hotdogs in the summer, coffee in the winter. I will never forget to ask, “Y” , I will never forget that nobody knows what we have gone through unless you are in the trenches. We have fought many wars but it’s time you have peace. I will never, ever forget you, you have a permanent place in my heart. I will remember you always as being a a strong positive person who was always respectful, courteous and deeply cared about the public. Thank you for being in my life. It was a pleasure working with you. You were a real professional. Love you.
“Danny Jr” is loved. He leaves me with many fond memories, a lot of laughter with “Butchie” and him, and an appreciation for the little things in life that are within our reach every day. We are thinking of Joann who has been a model of enduring kindness and selflessness.
Love
Dear Auntie JoAnn,
May Uncle Danny’s love and memories guide and comfort you during this difficult time.
I love you,
Tai
My Dear Beloved Brother Dionisio,
Where have you gone and why have you left? Did you not know that I, your little brother ‘Johnny Boy’, would cry a river of tears and spend his final years in darkness? I did not understand your leaving me alone, so I prayed to the Lord last night and he gave me the answers. He told me that He was so proud of all the good you did here in this world. He showed me all the people you had loved and helped through trials and tribulations. He spoke of so many friends and family members who loved and respected you throughout your time with us. He said He thought you were getting tired and needed someone to help you now. He knew your beloved partner, Joann, of so many years was by your side and giving you strength to carry on your quest… but you asked The Lord to relieve you both from such tremendous pain. He talked with you and asked you to finish your quest alongside of Him, by helping those in the new world not to grieve that they were taken away from their families…
but to accept the truth that He will bring them altogether once again, leaving no one behind. He explained to me how His home was a perfection of beauty and happiness. There is only love for one another and no hate. There are no wars, no color barriers, race or religious discrimination. All the good you have sought in this world you will find in God’s world. He has relieved you of all your responsibilites, all your pain and suffering, with the promise of true happiness. He will watch over Joann until the time He shall bring both of you together once again to an eternity of love, happiness and peace. I promise also to do this, as you once asked of me 10 years ago when leukemia struck. I gave you my word and my vow…I now give it once again.
Please big brother, give the Lord one of your big, jolly smiles and let Him know that you fully understand His decision to send for you early. He only sends for the best of us before our time and leaves those of us until we fully accept his love, like you have…I know your leaving me alone will make me a better person and brother, the one you’ve always tried to teach…only now have I realized how much you have always loved me and guided me. I will pray again tonight for the good Lord to re-mold me in your spirit. To love, help, honor and respect all living souls of this world, so that I will truly be sure of rejoining you and Dad in the Lord’s.
I also asked Him why is there only peace, love and tranquility in His home and not the one He created for us here. He told me that when He created man and woman, His purpose was to create a perfect world…a paradise, a shangri-la or Utopia for all mankind to bask in forever…but something went wrong. Some of his children lost faith in Him…some were tempted by evil, some lost faith and some found greed. It soon escalated out of control and some of his children created their own beliefs. It soon became too overwhelming for God Almighty even. Although He will always love the believers as well as the sinners, only the believers can join Him in hopes of creating a better world for all. That is why He chose you Danny, my wonderful brother. You will help Him in His quest to save the world and He will help you in your quest of love and kindness for all mankind. You needed too be strong once again and only He could give you back that strength and courage. As much as all of your friends and family need you here, the Good Lord needs you more. Remember, He only calls upon the best!
My Dear Danny Boy, my river of tears have been flowing for the fourth day now. The hurricane in my head is a cyclone of fear…I can never express in mere words much much I love you, miss you and need you…the storm in my broken heart is telling me to lay down and sleep…and wake up beside you once again!
With every last ounce of love in my heart
Your little brother ‘Johnny Boy’
PS: Give Dad a big hug and kiss for me and tell him how much I love and miss him.
Dear JoAnn,
There are no words to express or imagine how you’re feeling at this time. Knowing Danny is loved by all and his memories will be with us forever. Please know that you’re not alone. My love and prayers are with you always.
Bing
Dan I will forever hold your smile and kind words in my heart. You always made me feel like I could accomplish anything. Heavens got a new Angel Rest In Peace my friend
Dan always had a smile and a good word for all of us. We miss him.
May memories help you in this difficult time.
Love,
Maria and John
I consider myself blessed to have counted Dan among my friends since high school. North Haven is a better place because of Dan Riccio. He was a kind, generous man without a malicious bone in his body. We will miss him. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace, my friend.
Dan, I will always remember your kindness and little jokes. Always asking about my family and grandkids, while you worked through your own troubles. The community will certainly miss your presence! You’re a good soldier Dan ! You will be missed. Prayers and memories will always be of comfort to you JoAnn.
Dear JoAnn,
Daniel he sleeps in Jesus. Remember that the Lord loves us, when He shall come in the clouds of heaven, we all will be united.
I am praying for you during your time of loss. Know that we are all thinking of you.
Love,
Ling Wong
(Bing’s little sister)
I Love You Danny Boy
I Always Have…
I Always Will…
Please Wait For Me…
Your Little Brother
Johnny Boy