Ric Yarrito

In Loving Memory of Ric Yarrito

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ric Yarrito, who left us on Wednesday, September 10, at the age of 71.

Born on October 22, 1953, in Michigan to San Juanita Reyes, Ric was the second of her five children. The family moved to Chicago in 1965, when Ric was twelve. He attended Carl Schurz High School through 1970, but left before graduating. In 1979, he met his future wife, Esther “Essie” Jerger, when both their families lived in Roscoe Village.

Ric and Essie purchased their home on the far northwest side of Chicago in October 1985 and were married on December 14 of that year. They welcomed their first child, Sarah, in April 1986, and their second child, Rebecca, in July 1988. While working for Active Electrical Supply & Lighting, Ric earned his GED from Wright College. Ric and Essie shared nearly 40 years of marriage.

Ric took immense pride in maintaining and caring for the home he and his wife built together, and in being a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed time with friends and family, exploring Chicago history, meticulous organizing, comedy, and animals. To his children, he passed on a fierce independence, a deep love of animals, a meandering storytelling style, and an irreverent sense of humor.

The family shared many cherished traditions, including summer camping trips, visits to amusement parks, zoos, and museums, Christmas mornings, family dinners, vacations, and laughter around the kitchen table.

Ric will be remembered most for his warm relationships with family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, strangers—truly anyone who welcomed a conversation with a man who always had a story to tell.

Beloved husband of nearly 40 years to Esther “Essie” Yarrito (née Jerger); loving father of Sarah and her husband Joseph, and Rebecca and her husband Paul; beloved son-in-law to Mary Irene; cherished brother of Stella, Linda, Dave, Sonia, Eli, Sylvia, and Angie; dear brother-in-law of Laura, David, Fredo, Emily, and Jaime; fond uncle to many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to PAWS Chicago at https://www.pawschicago.org/.