Fred J. Riccilli

He was born on July 30, 1921 in Akron, Ohio. Fred was the first son of Stephano Riccilli (1897 - 1977) and Carmela Maria Falcone ( 1905-1980).

Fred was a master accordionist by the age of 10, he had his own band and even played on the radio. He loved baseball and played often. He even played in the N.Y. Yankees farm system. His later years found him having season tickets to the Angel games & watching them on T.V. when they were out of town.

Fred married a lovely gal from high school, Maria Theresa Valentino. With his first wife, Fred had two children, Melinda & Steven. When his children grew & were married, they gave him four grandchildren: Melinda's sons, Morgan & Mitchell, and Steven's children, Nicholas & LeAnn. He also has a great- granddaughter, Mikaela. Theresa introduced him to bowling, which became his lifelong passion & career. Fred & Theresa later parted ways.

On the bowling circuit, Fred met Hope Miller. They were married on November 26, 1960. Hope & Fred enjoyed a fulfilling marriage and shared the love of bowling. His illustrious bowling career was highlighted by many 300 games and accolades, including winning the Peterson Classic in Chicago (1952). The Costa Mesa Singles (1955), two time winner of T.V. All Star Bowling Championships, Bowler of the year in So.Cal. 1953 & 1967, member of Orange County Bowling Hall of Fame (1972). and had an average of over 200 for many years.

From 1957 to 1992 he was co-owner and manager of Champion Lanes in Garden Grove. Fred managed the atmosphere of Champion Lanes with his jovial good nature while Hope kept the books in order. They were a wonderful team. Their motto was, "Champion Lanes, where the happiest people bowl". In their coffee shop, you could get the best fresh hot french fries & malts. Just ask any grandchild.

Along with his beautiful wife, Hope, Fred inherited another daughter, Verla Ann, who gave him 8 grandchildren. He shared in countless activities in their lives. These 8 grandchildren gave him 23 great-grandchildren (with a 24th on the way). After retiring from Champion Lanes, Fred lovingly & devotedly cared for his wife, Hope for many years while she was stricken with terminal rheumatoid arthritis. After her death, he cared for her gravesite until his own health began to fail. He passed away in his own home, cared for by Verla Ann, her children and good friend, Frank Tripoli.

He is survived by his step-daughter Verla Ann Bowen, and step-grandchildren, Brett Sinclair, Derek Kyle, Casey Russell, Sean Christensen, Patrick Ryan, Michael Jesse, Wendy Hope (Morris), and Stacey Ann (Ratliff) and their spouses, and his 23 step-great grandchildren.Along with his daughter Melinda Riccilli Slade & her husband, Mark Slade & two sons, Morgan & Mitchel, and Steven's two children, Nicholas and LeAnn. He has one great-granddaughter, Mikaela Eva Slade.

He is also survived by his brother, Albert (Al) Anthony Riccilli & companion Fran. Al's daughter Diane & her 3 boys (Gregory, Brett, and Trey) and husband, Theodore Janovsky Jr., sister-in-law Evelyn Scarpitti Riccilli & Larry Scarpitti, cousin Delores Falcone, cousin Lucille Riccilli Esposito and her family, & Carl Riccilli.

Fred is predeceased by his beloved wife of 38 years, Hope Miller (1922-1999), son Steven Peter Riccilli & his wife, brother Lawrence (Larry), Carl Riccilli (Nov 1, 2015), step-son-in-law Patrick Bowen (Aug 11, 2009), Aunt & Uncle Filomena (Mae) & Carl Riccilli, Brother-in-law Robert Allen Miller Jr., and sister-in-law Doris (Doe) Avant Riccilli.

Funeral Service will be held at:

FRIDAY March 13th - Viewing from 5pm to 7pm at Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary 14801 Beach Blvd., Westminster, California 92683

SATURDAY March 14th Funeral at L.D.S. Church, 6500 Atherton, Long Beach, CA (VIEWING 10am to 10:45am and MEMORIAL service at 11am)

Interment & Dedication of grave, following funeral, estimated 12:30 or 1:00 at Westminster Memorial Park Cemetery.