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May 30, 2013
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 4-8 PM and Tuesday, June 4 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will begin at 9 AM on Wednesday, June 5 from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Entombment will follow at the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.
Richard S. Lio, of Wayne. Husband, father, brother, role model, administrator, teacher, coach, mentor, friend…Rich Lio. Rich grew up in Clifton with his father and mother, Augie and Helen Lio. He met his lovely wife, Emily, his high school sweetheart at Clifton High. He and Emily graduated in May from college and were married in June. They first lived in Paterson, and in 1975, moved to Wayne, where they raised their two daughters, Alyson and Lauren. Each year on the night of the prom, Rich told the juniors and seniors at Ramsey High School, “Enjoy yourselves and monitor your behavior, because you never know. You could be like me. I married my prom date!”
In 1971, Rich began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Franklin High School. After two years, Ramsey High School hired Rich not only to teach social studies, but eventually to coach the varsity softball and football teams.
No biography of Rich would be complete without mentioning Rich’s passion for football. At a young age, he served as a ball boy for the New York Giants accompanying his father to Yankee Stadium for the games. In addition to playing football, both at Clifton High School and the University of Delaware, and coaching football in Ramsey, Rich worked as a College and Pro Scout for the New York Giants from 1982-1990. He attended Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, California as part of the team, and loved to show his Super Bowl ring to his students, sharing with them his love—and much of the lore--of the game. His love for the Giants continued as he and his daughters, brother, niece and nephew traveled to the last two Super Bowls to watch their Giants win again. He even endured a ten hour road trip singing all the way there.
As head football coach at RHS from 1977-1982, Rich did much more than coach his teams, which achieved an overall record or 45-14-1(earning numerous League Championships and qualifying for state playoffs five times). Also, he coached the Girls Varsity softball to two state championships, winning one. And after all those years, many of his former players still send Christmas cards and exchange emails. After nine years in Ramsey, Rich became the district’s Social Studies Supervisor, a bittersweet promotion which ended his coaching career but set the stage for the rest of his career.
In 1987, Rich crossed town to become Eric Smith Middle School’s Assistant Principal, a role in which he excelled for fourteen years. Being assistant principal required “wearing many hats”, all of which fit almost as well as his Giants cap. An imposing presence (especially when he stood in the halls with his arms folded awaiting the start of each school day), Rich was known for listening to both sides of any concern and creating a fair resolution. A good sport, Rich was not afraid of looking silly, whether on Halloween, outfitted as a pig in a pink tutu; at 7am on the day before Thanksgiving, baking cornucopias with colleagues; regaling everyone with historical (and often hysterical) anecdotes on the 8th grade trips to Washington DC; and creatively “roasting” staff members with “awards” at Smith end-of-the year luncheons. The students and staff appreciated his personal interest in each of them and respected his judgment. It was with much regret on the part of the Smith family that Rich left in 2001 to follow his dream of becoming a school principal.
Rich first served as principal of the Franklin Avenue Middle School, and then as principal of Sparta High School. When he went to Sparta, Rich was totally candid about his intentions. He explained that he would be committed to Sparta for the rest of his career—unless the position of principal at Ramsey High School became available...In 2007, that is exactly what happened, and Rich finally “went home.” Each morning, Rich could be found standing at a key entrance to the school wishing the students and staff a “good morning” as they came in. Throughout the day, Rich was either in his office—with his door open to anyone seeking his advice or assistance—or visiting classrooms, appreciating the hard work of his staff and marveling at the accomplishments of his students. After school and in the evenings, it seemed like Rich could always be found attending a meeting, cheering at a game, or enjoying a performance, committed to every facet of student life at RHS. It goes without saying that Rich probably spent at least as many evenings at school as at home.
One of Rich’s most significant accomplishments was to bring “Relay for Life” to Ramsey High School, an achievement he describes as “the most rewarding experience of my life.” Over the past six years, Ramsey has been recognized for it’s outstanding fundraising. And this year, with less than a week to the event, Rich’s dream came true. Ramsey Relay for Life has cumulatively raised over one million dollars for the American Cancer Society, bringing together a wide cross-section of the Ramsey community for a night of remembrance, reflection and hope.
As an educator, Rich was always forward-looking, embracing innovation whenever he felt it could be beneficial to student learning. His belief in the dynamic nature of education led him to adapt his own dynamic nature to ensure that his schools would not become stagnant. With a mantra of “monitor and adjust”, the buildings he worked in always benefitted from his dedication to remain on the cutting edge of education; something that was truly the foundation of his career.
Rich took such pride in Emily and his two beautiful daughters (all of whom are educators). Rich believed in surrounding himself with friends and family as he enjoyed summers in LBI, tailgating at Giants games, and simply sitting on the deck and telling stories. He was at home when he was the ones he loved.
Rich passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2013 surrounded by his family. Rich is survived by his wife, Emily, daughters, Alyson and Lauren; brother Mark, sister-in-law, Mary, nephew Daniel, niece Jaime; brother-in-law Jay, sister-in-law Linda, nieces Amanda and Samantha, and nephews Andre and Cameron.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Ramsey Relay for Life, www.relayforlife.org/ramseynj
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 4-8 PM and Tuesday, June 4 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will begin at 9 AM on Wednesday, June 5 from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Entombment will follow at the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.
May 30, 2013
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 4-8 PM and Tuesday, June 4 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will begin at 9 AM on Wednesday, June 5 from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes, where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Entombment will follow at the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.
Richard S. Lio, of Wayne. Husband, father, brother, role model, administrator, teacher, coach, mentor, friend…Rich Lio. Rich grew up in Clifton with his father and mother, Augie and Helen Lio. He met his lovely wife, Emily, his high school sweetheart at Clifton High. He and Emily graduated in May from college and were married in June. They first lived in Paterson, and in 1975, moved to Wayne, where they raised their two daughters, Alyson and Lauren. Each year on the night of the prom, Rich told the juniors and seniors at Ramsey High School, “Enjoy yourselves and monitor your behavior, because you never know. You could be like me. I married my prom date!”
In 1971, Rich began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Franklin High School. After two years, Ramsey High School hired Rich not only to teach social studies, but eventually to coach the varsity softball and football teams.
No biography of Rich would be complete without mentioning Rich’s passion for football. At a young age, he served as a ball boy for the New York Giants accompanying his father to Yankee Stadium for the games. In addition to playing football, both at Clifton High School and the University of Delaware, and coaching football in Ramsey, Rich worked as a College and Pro Scout for the New York Giants from 1982-1990. He attended Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, California as part of the team, and loved to show his Super Bowl ring to his students, sharing with them his love—and much of the lore--of the game. His love for the Giants continued as he and his daughters, brother, niece and nephew traveled to the last two Super Bowls to watch their Giants win again. He even endured a ten hour road trip singing all the way there.
As head football coach at RHS from 1977-1982, Rich did much more than coach his teams, which achieved an overall record or 45-14-1(earning numerous League Championships and qualifying for state playoffs five times). Also, he coached the Girls Varsity softball to two state championships, winning one. And after all those years, many of his former players still send Christmas cards and exchange emails. After nine years in Ramsey, Rich became the district’s Social Studies Supervisor, a bittersweet promotion which ended his coaching career but set the stage for the rest of his career.
In 1987, Rich crossed town to become Eric Smith Middle School’s Assistant Principal, a role in which he excelled for fourteen years. Being assistant principal required “wearing many hats”, all of which fit almost as well as his Giants cap. An imposing presence (especially when he stood in the halls with his arms folded awaiting the start of each school day), Rich was known for listening to both sides of any concern and creating a fair resolution. A good sport, Rich was not afraid of looking silly, whether on Halloween, outfitted as a pig in a pink tutu; at 7am on the day before Thanksgiving, baking cornucopias with colleagues; regaling everyone with historical (and often hysterical) anecdotes on the 8th grade trips to Washington DC; and creatively “roasting” staff members with “awards” at Smith end-of-the year luncheons. The students and staff appreciated his personal interest in each of them and respected his judgment. It was with much regret on the part of the Smith family that Rich left in 2001 to follow his dream of becoming a school principal.
Rich first served as principal of the Franklin Avenue Middle School, and then as principal of Sparta High School. When he went to Sparta, Rich was totally candid about his intentions. He explained that he would be committed to Sparta for the rest of his career—unless the position of principal at Ramsey High School became available...In 2007, that is exactly what happened, and Rich finally “went home.” Each morning, Rich could be found standing at a key entrance to the school wishing the students and staff a “good morning” as they came in. Throughout the day, Rich was either in his office—with his door open to anyone seeking his advice or assistance—or visiting classrooms, appreciating the hard work of his staff and marveling at the accomplishments of his students. After school and in the evenings, it seemed like Rich could always be found attending a meeting, cheering at a game, or enjoying a performance, committed to every facet of student life at RHS. It goes without saying that Rich probably spent at least as many evenings at school as at home.
One of Rich’s most significant accomplishments was to bring “Relay for Life” to Ramsey High School, an achievement he describes as “the most rewarding experience of my life.” Over the past six years, Ramsey has been recognized for it’s outstanding fundraising. And this year, with less than a week to the event, Rich’s dream came true. Ramsey Relay for Life has cumulatively raised over one million dollars for the American Cancer Society, bringing together a wide cross-section of the Ramsey community for a night of remembrance, reflection and hope.
As an educator, Rich was always forward-looking, embracing innovation whenever he felt it could be beneficial to student learning. His belief in the dynamic nature of education led him to adapt his own dynamic nature to ensure that his schools would not become stagnant. With a mantra of “monitor and adjust”, the buildings he worked in always benefitted from his dedication to remain on the cutting edge of education; something that was truly the foundation of his career.
Rich took such pride in Emily and his two beautiful daughters (all of whom are educators). Rich believed in surrounding himself with friends and family as he enjoyed summers in LBI, tailgating at Giants games, and simply sitting on the deck and telling stories. He was at home when he was the ones he loved.
Rich passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2013 surrounded by his family. Rich is survived by his wife, Emily, daughters, Alyson and Lauren; brother Mark, sister-in-law, Mary, nephew Daniel, niece Jaime; brother-in-law Jay, sister-in-law Linda, nieces Amanda and Samantha, and nephews Andre and Cameron.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Ramsey Relay for Life, www.relayforlife.org/ramseynj
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