Robert L. Ricciardi

Robert Lee Ricciardi, 73, of Wayne, NJ passed away on July 11, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jersey City, raised in New Milford, Robert attended and graduated from Don Bosco Prep in 1968 where he was a three sport Ironman (football, basketball, and track) captain of the football team and senior class president. Upon graduation, Bob enrolled at St. Peter’s College where he majored in business and played four more years of football, ultimately graduating in 1972. However, the most important event of his four years was in 1969 when he met a cheerleader named Debbie. The two were married on July 14, 1973 while receiving the Papal Blessing at St. Augustine’s in Union City and shortly thereafter they started and raised all four of their children in Wayne, NJ. 

Immediately following graduation, Bob began working for Mahieu Construction in North Haledon where he would meet his future business partner, Ben Della Cerra. In May of 1976, Bob and Ben started Delric Construction Company also located in North Haledon, which grew to be a very successful commercial construction business. Starting as residential, the company moved to commercial in the 1980. Delric’s  first commercial  job was building the Pompton Plains Post Office.  In 2007 the company transitioned into doing public work in the 5 boroughs of NY. Their  first job was the construction of a superior courthouse for the state of NY in Staten Island with the DASNY organization and then multiple schools projects for the NYCSC and housing authority projects with NYCHA.

Aside from his business acumen, Bob was a loving, caring and devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle  and grandfather. When his four children were younger, you’d find him on the sidelines coaching his son Paul’s Wayne PAL football and baseball teams, marshaling Gina’s swim meets, Lisa’s basketball team or his youngest daughter Tara’s soccer team. A true leader with a passion for teaching the youth skills and techniques, Bob formed with longtime friend Scott Seldeen, the Believers Soccer Team in order for young athletes to hone their skills. 

As Bob’s children grew into adulthood, he gave up the sideline as a coach and enjoyed it as a spectator for any one of his nine grandchildren. Bob would travel to venues near and far in order to support their personal endeavors whether it was a baseball or soccer game, a band concert or a dance recital. Bob loved showing pictures of his grandchildren to anyone he met whether they were interested or not. He truly cherished watching all of nine of his grandchildren, ranging from 20 years old to 9 months,  flourish and succeed. 

As time went on Bob enjoyed spending time at his beach house in Lavalette, NJ whether that was watching his grandchildren play on the beach or enjoying a Bacardi and Diet while the Yankees were on. There, Bob and Debbie celebrated and hosted many occasions ranging from anniversaries to birthdays and graduations. Also, Bob loved taking his family on vacations to Disney, Bermuda, Hollywood Beach along with countless cruises, but the Florida Keys was a special place where he and Debbie would go for their together time. 

When Bob wasn’t traveling, he was at his workbench woodworking projects for his children and grandchildren. For each of his children he made separate pieces of furniture ranging from shelves, bird houses, gates, custom closets, fireplace mantels, desks, credenzas and the list goes on. A trained and true master craftsman, his work is something to be admired and the pieces he built will be kept in the family for generations. Bob was the definition of a true patriarch who cared, supported and loved his wife, children and grandchildren with all of his heart. 

Robert was predeceased by his parents Angelo and Florence Ricciardi. He is survived by all three of his younger siblings: Richard Ricciardi, Raymond Ricciardi and Judith O’Connor (nee Ricciardi). His beloved wife Debbie Ricciardi (nee Waldy), his son Paul Ricciardi and his wife Lori, Lumberton, NJ, and his daughters Gina Aiello and her husband Stephen, Oak Ridge, NJ, Lisa Priestner and her husband Matthew, Wayne, NJ, Tara Agelis and her husband Nicholas, Wayne, NJ and his adoring grandchildren: Luke and Jake Ricciardi; Nicholas and Alyssa Aiello; Brianna and Emma Priestner; and Dorothy, Kimberly and Angela Agelis.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and John Theurer Cancer Center - Multiple Myeloma Division