Obituary of Theresa J Riccardi

MARLBORO, NJ — Theresa Riccardi, 82, of Marlboro, a retired Executive Administrative Assistant, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2020  at Mount Sinai Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

Born, May 13, 1938, in Brooklyn, NY, Terry, as she was known by everyone, had a strong faith that carried her throughout her life. At age 16, she graduated from Bay Ridge High School, began working on Wall Street, and met her future husband Joseph Caputo. A devoted wife and mother of three girls, Karen, Theresa, and Ann Marie, Terry was very active in her daughters’ lives, serving as a Girl Scout leader and fundraiser for St Frances de Chantal School and Bishop Kearney High School to support her daughters’ education. At the same time, Terry worked tirelessly alongside her husband as the owners of Caprice Bakery, located in Brooklyn and then Staten Island, for more than thirty years. 

When her girls were grown, Terry missed her Wall Street experience and returned to the corporate world.  Shortly thereafter her husband of 36 years passed away from cancer in 1995.  Her faith carried her to continue working and soon volunteered to teach Religious Instruction at St Patrick Church on Staten Island.  There she met a wonderful man, Joseph Riccardi, a father of five boys, whose wife also passed away in 1995. Terry and Joe immediately embraced in a caring and loving relationship, joining the two families as one. Terry and Joe were married at St Patrick Church on May 27, 2000, moved to Marlboro, and started their new life with a combined family of eight children, which became sixteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  They met new friends and enjoyed time traveling several times to Italy, Canada, and more frequently to Arizona and Utah, which became the home of her two daughters and five grandchildren.  Terry’s faith continued in her new life as she became an active member of St Gabriel’s Altar Rosary Society as Vice President for the past twenty years, organizing fundraiser events, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister.  A woman ahead of her times, she continued moving up the corporate leader, becoming the Executive Administrative Assistant, for AXA-XL Insurance, where she was revered as an outstanding worker, with advanced computer knowledge, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Terry finally retired at age 81.  During her lifetime, she celebrated with family and friends at her impeccable home with her exceptional cooking, hosting dinner parties, birthdays, barbeques, and a multitude of holidays.   Terry is also remembered and often complimented for her classy attire, and knew how to make fashion her own. Known for her caring, loving, and generous heart, Terry made the best of every moment. Even when she lost two daughters, Karen Summa and Ann Marie Rung, to unexpected illnesses, she still believed in her faith and possessed a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother to help her get through these difficult times.  

Theresa Riccardi is survived by her husband Joseph Riccardi, of 20 years, daughter Theresa Mandi, and sons Joseph Riccardi, John Riccardi, Robert Riccardi, Ronald Riccardi, Richard Riccardi, sixteen grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Viewing will be Sunday, October 18, 2020 at the Freeman Funeral Home, 344 US 9, Manalapan, NJ, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Mass will be celebrated at St Gabriel RC Church, 100 N Main Street Marlboro, NJ  at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Road, Staten Island, NY

Donations can be made to:    Fulfill Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties

Church of Saint Gabriel in Marlboro, NJ