Obituary: Florence "Babe" Riccio (Porto Funeral Homes)

Florence “Babe” Tramontano Riccio (101) passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 surrounded by her family. Born in the Hill Section of New Haven on April 19, 1925, she was a life-long resident of Hamden, CT and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Babe’s most tremendous legacy is that of her family. She was the wife of the late Ralph W. Riccio for 38 years and daughter of the late John and Frances (Amato) Tramontano. She was the attentive and caring mother of Lorraine (Lewis) Panzo of Hamden; Ralph Jr. (Elizabeth) Riccio of Cheshire; and Douglas (Allison) Riccio of Cheshire. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories with her grandchildren: Jeffrey (Kersten) Panzo; Lauren (Rey) Banogon; Melissa (Rob) Simone; Ralph (Lindsey) Riccio III; Brooke (Chris) Riccio; Douglas (Katie) Riccio Jr; Gage (Connie) Riccio; Ashleigh (Corey) Bass; and Kylie Riccio; and ten great-grandchildren: Zoe, Nora, Sam, Cassidy, Max, Wyatt, Maeve, Stella, Autumn, and Lennon, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Babe was proud to be a "riveter,” working at High Standard Manufacturing Company throughout World War II, alongside many friends, including Marge Panzo, who would soon become family through the marriage of their children, Lew and Lori. She worked as a nursery school teacher’s aide for over 30 years in Hamden and North Haven. Even in her last days, she could recall the names of her nursery school children from decades ago. She loved being surrounded by babies and children all her life, ranging from her oldest grandchild, now 55, to her youngest great-grandchild at 18 months. She dedicated her life to taking care of others and found great joy in cooking meals, especially sauce and macaroni, and hosting parties for her loved ones.

At 101, Babe would often describe herself as a “modern woman,” and indeed, she flourished through many changes in this world. She was resilient, strong, and decisive. She loved to connect to others, and did so through many modes of communication throughout her lifetime: from planning her engagement party via airmail correspondence during World War II, to decades of lengthy telephone calls with her friends and children, and even family zooms during COVID. She enjoyed music, playing the piano by ear and following her son to his many band events where she would clap and dance even up to age 100. Babe loved the Yankees, movies and TV, and could easily quote lines from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Family Feud," and “Moonstruck.” Babe will be remembered for her great memory, attention to detail, delicious meals, and her creative sense of humor.

In addition to her husband and parents, Babe is predeceased by her lifelong friends: Gabe, Saba, Irma, Hilda, and Marge, her siblings: Gary, Vincent, Alphonse, Joseph, Alfred, Val, Emma, Palma, and Dante, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to thank her caregivers and her very dear neighbors whom she loved like her own family.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Paul VI Parish at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Monday morning, June 8, 2026, at 10:30. Burial will be private. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org or the American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Arrangements are in the care of the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte. 80), East Haven. Sign Babe's guest book online at www.portofuneralhomes.net.