Sergio M. Ricci, 82, died peacefully on July 11, 2017, at Branford Hospice.  Son of the late Ada Mei Ricci and Bruno Ricci, Sergio was born in Fano, Provincia di Pesaro, Italy on August 5, 1934. After spending his early years helping his parents with crop growing, Sergio became a mason.  In 1963, he married Frances Bernabucci, and immigrated to the US, settling in New Haven. Sergio was employed first by Maselli Masonry, and then for many years by Gabriele Construction.  He later opened his own contracting business, continuing to work into his 70’s.  An avid gardener and angler, Sergio could often be found fishing at his favorite water hole, Chaffinch Hollow in Guilford.  He was an excellent cook, and his specialties were crescia di pasqua, gnocchi, and brodetto.  He was a passionate fan of UCONN women’s basketball and Formula One racing. Sergio travelled to Spain, France, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Greece, and Canada, as well as North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, and California.  Sergio always had a dog, and loved particularly the spaniels.  He was a long-time parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini church. Sergio leaves his wife, Frances; a sister, Marzia Caselli; two daughters, Michele (James) Bell and Sabrina Ricci; two grandchildren, Iris and Balthazar; fours nieces, Doreen (John) Brown, Denise Bernabucci, Sharon (Paul) Healey and Mary Jean (James) Otis; three nephews, Simone Caselli, Thomas (Donna) Gagliardi and Richard (Paula) Korin; and many other beloved family members.  A special thank you to Whitney Internal Medicine Hamden, Smilow Cancer Center North Haven, and CT Hospice for their steadfast and patient care. 

Relatives and friends are invited to go directly to Saint Frances Cabrini Church Friday morning at 11:30 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and also to attend the committal services immediately following in the Centerville Cemetery, Hamden. There will be no visiting hours. The North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Foundation for Prade-Willi Research (www.fpwr.org) or ASRC-Autism Resources Services Connecticut (www.ct-asrc.org).