Salvatore “Sam” Ricotta, 93 of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, August 24, 2021. He was born September 20, 1927 in Alia, Sicily and legally immigrated to the United States in 1949. Sam was very proud to become an American citizen. He married the love of his life, Concetta “Connie” Saladino on April 24, 1954. Sam worked as a Quality Control Inspector at Gunite for over 35 years. He was a faithful member of Saint Anthony’s of Padua Church, where he belonged to the Senior Holy Name Society. In his younger years, Sam was an avid bowler, playing in various bowling leagues. Sam was a perfectionist and loved fixing anything he could get his hands on; if he couldn’t fix it, no one could. Sam had a great love of music. He played the accordion for most of his life and often joined the members of the Rockford Accordion Club. Above all, Sam loved his family and friends.
Sam was greatly loved and respected and will be missed by his daughters, Roseann (Tim) Peak of Cottage Grove, WI, and Dina Brandt of Cherry Valley, IL; grandchildren, Melissa (Adam) Baier of Cottage Grove, WI, Timothy (Brad Schernecker) Peak, of San Francisco, CA, Juliana (Stephen Rygula) Peak of Cottage Grove, WI, Sam “Sammy” Ricotta of Las Vegas, NV, and Luca Brandt of Cherry Valley, IL.; great grandchildren, Rebecca and Declan Baier, Pryor Rygula, Danica Schernecker-Peak, Angelo and Alessandro Ricotta; his last surviving sibling, sister Teresa Boriero of San Marcos, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Connie Ricotta, son Louis, brothers Tony Louis, Joseph, and Vincent and sisters Lily, Mary, and Annetta.
The family wanted to extend their sincere thanks to Robin, Vicki, Bindy, Christine, Kristen, Renea, Pamela, Katie, Cynthia and Chaplain Chuck with Northern Illinois Hospice for their support and caring during the last weeks of Sam’s life. Also, a special thanks to Fr. Simon from Holy Family Church for invoking Sam’s last rites prior to his passing.
A visitation will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd., Machesney Park, IL 61115 with a funeral service to begin at 11:30 a.m. Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens immediately following. To share a condolence, please visit www.Sunsetfhmemgardens.com.
