Obituary: Rita Venturina Riccio, 94, of Naugatuck

Obituary courtesy of Brooklawn Funeral Home

NAUGATUCK, CT - Rita Venturina Riccio, 94, of Naugatuck CT, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 12, 2021 at the Water’s Edge Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Middletown.

Rita was born in New Britain on February 23, 1926 to Paul and Mary Salvio. Rita was predeceased by her parents Paul and Mary Salvio, her brothers Louis and Daniel Salvio and her husband Anthony Riccio Sr. Rita is survived by her sister Eleanor Forte as well as her four children Anthony Riccio, Regina Vey, Dianna Kiraly and Ronald Riccio. Rita was blessed with and adored her 7 grandchildren, Anthony Riccio III, Erica Wikstrom, Paul Riccio, Monica Sokoloski, Angela Vey, Christopher Kiraly,Amy Kiraly and 5 great grandchildren, Blake Sokoloski, Luke Wikstrom, Marlowe Sokoloski, Beau Kiraly and Hanna Kiraly.

Rita met the love of her life Anthony “Rick” Riccio in high school. They religiously corresponded while he was serving in the US Navy during WW II. They were married on August 23, 1947 and settled in Bridgeport where they raised their four children. Rick and Rita were always a team; – he worked multiple jobs and she lovingly and tirelessly cared for her home and family. Rick and Rita were inseparable and were devoted to each other in a way that only a few fortunate married couples could experience. They were devout Catholics and active parishioners of Saint Charles Church and worked hard to send all their children to private Catholic schools. In 1986, Rita and Rick relocated to Naugatuck where they spent their final golden year’s together.

Rita attended the Smithcroft School of Beauty Culture and became a hairdresser after her graduation from Harding High School. Rita’s family and friends benefited from her talents of styling, haircuts, rag curls and perms. She was very artistic from a young age, and also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, drawing, and ceramics. Rita was very skilled in the kitchen and enjoyed cooking with her husband and family. She especially loved to bake bread, rolls, pies, and cookies. She lovingly taught her children and grandchildren her skills, passing on coveted Italian family recipes by demonstration and hands-on experience. She was always happiest enjoying a home cooked meal with family and friends.

Above all, Rita loved her family. Her husband, children, brothers and sister, grandchildren, and great grandchildren meant the world to her, and she was so dedicated to those she loved. She instilled that strong sense of devotion and togetherness in her family. Her family feels blessed to have experienced her endless love and devotion and hope to celebrate her life by emulating her love.

A funeral Mass of Resurrection will be held to honor Rita’s life at 10AM on Saturday morning February 20th at Saint Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church in Naugatuck, CT. Interment following at Saint James Cemetery, alongside her loving husband. Donations can be made in her honor to the American Diabetes Association or the Dementia Society of America.