Joseph Ricciardi, Jr.'s Obituary
On June 22, 2019, Joseph Ricciardi, Jr. soared through the earthly plane with the ferocity and passion that fueled his entire life. Born on January 18, 1932 in Newark, New Jersey, Joe (a.k.a. Junior, Toopee, Joe Joe, Glass-son, Yazel, President, Dad, and Pop), was the firstborn son of Julia and Joseph Ricciardi, Sr.Growing up in Bloomfield, New Jersey, young Joe Joe played stick ball between the houses with his younger brother, Frank, and cousin, Duckie. A loyal New York Yankee fan until the end, Joe kept team stats which proved to be an early indication of his brilliant statistical mind. Joe’s father had unfailing faith in his son, and predicted that young Joe would be president of his own company one day. Joe’s father set the bar high, and Joe accepted the challenge.Joe learned to play the trumpet while in grade school. Emulating his hero, Harry James, Joe started his own swing band while in high school. His sets included all of the big band hits with, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as his signature song.In 1950, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was an Intelligence Specialist stationed in Japan and Tripoli. During his 4 years in the service, he took every opportunity to explore Europe, and this truly deepened his love of travel. The GI Bill afforded him the ability to attend college, a first for the Ricciardi family. Joe graduated with a degree in Business from Rutgers University in 1959.From his humble beginnings as a door-to-door salesman in Bloomfield, NJ, to becoming President and CEO of Media Recovery, Inc. in Dallas, TX, Joe gave new meaning to the phrase, “go-getter!” Joe had a critical hand in the creation of the first shock detector on the market, Shockwatch. His incredible entrepreneurial spirit combined with his goal-setting mindset laid the foundation for international success for the business. With his very own Rat Pack: Dick Polanski, Gene Reynolds, Doug MacElroy, Les Lorenzo, and Pete Zach, Joe took his company to phenomenal heights. “The secret to sales is product knowledge on fire!” Joe always said.None of Joe’s professional success would have been possible without the firm foundation he established with his incredible wife of 60+ years, Theresa MacMullen Ricciardi. Together, they raised 4 children: Dina, Ron, Maureen, and Dani. Life grew even richer with their 3 grandchildren: Tori, Tony, and Julie plus honorary grandson, Chase Bailey. Joe was over the moon at the thought of his first great grandson, Luca Joseph Janky, due to arrive in mid-December 2019. Joe’s family was his crowning achievement, his first priority, and his legacy.Joe was a lifelong sports enthusiast. The NY Yankees were nearest and dearest to his heart, yet he made room for the Plano Wildcat High School football team as a season ticket holder for 42 years. Joe was an incredible bowler, and maintained his championship league status for decades. As an avid golfer, Joe played courses all over the world. One of his proudest moments was a hole-in-one on the 7th hole of Plantation Golf Resort in Frisco, Texas. Just three weeks ago, Joe was out on the course with his daughter sharing secrets of his short game.The Ricciardi’s can cook, and Joe was no exception! After retirement, Joe’s love of cooking really took shape. He spent many an hour watching the Food Network and then trying to convince Terry he knew what he was doing in the kitchen! He honed his skills over the years, and every other Sunday he owned the kitchen. For an east coast Italian guy, Joe made a killer spice rub for ribs, famous barbeque sauce, his Mom’s struffoli, pickled zucchini, lentil and lima bean soups. Joe would say that his greatest joy was having everyone in the kitchen helping to make homemade pizza! These meals and his efforts were legendary.Joe had an amazing and unbreakable spirit. He was fearless, determined, strong-willed, quietly generous, spiritual, complex, and loyal. He greeted the world with a winning smile and unbelievable charm. Joe’s outlook on life was always positive. “We all have choices to make, so make them positive choices,” he would advise. There is simply not enough room for all of the words of wisdom Joe provided to his family, friends, and colleagues throughout the years. To say he will be missed is the understatement of the universe.Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Julie Ferraiolo Ricciardi and Joseph Ricciardi, Sr. of Toms River, NJ; and younger brother, Ronald W. Ricciardi of Lake Worth, FL. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Frank Ricciardi of Morristown, NJ; sister, Arlene Verne of Acton, CA; wife, Theresa, and children: Dina Ricciardi of Plano, TX; Ronald Ricciardi and wife, Jeri of Kansas City, MO; Maureen Brown of Dallas, TX; and Danielle Ricciardi of Plano, TX. Grandchildren: Victoria and husband, Zach Janky of Kansas City, MO; Anthony Ricciardi of Portland, OR; Julie Brown of McKinney, TX; and Chase Bailey of Frisco, TXFuneral service will be on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 3:00 PM in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
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