Richard and I were boyhood friends. He would come over to my house and  roughhouse with my huge Doberman Pinscher that would drag us around the backyard by a blue plastic baseball bat until we were worn out. His family took me under their wing and  I spent  many an evening playing board games, eating, and talking.  Rich was more than a friend, he  was my  unrelated brother. He was there for me at a time when I felt alone. His kind  and compassionate way made me feel it was all going to be OK. We were only teens yet, he had a wise way about him even then.  I will never forget him.  I loved him very dearly and I miss him very much.

I knew Rich as a friend & a huge fan of maintainers!  He was and will always be.... one of the best!   A great friend and dedicated to our country!  Rest in Peace Rich!!  

It is with a heavy heart to hear about Richards passing. He was a very good friend of mine been TDY many times together. My prayers will be with your family in these times hoping the passage of time will help heal your sorrow, Mine as well. Sorry for your lost he will be missed very much.  

My late husband Stan Mroczkowski was good friends with Richard’s parents Carole and Giorgio from when Richard was eight and Stan Jr was seven. The boys and their younger siblings grew up together in the pretty little town of Pleasantville, NY. 
By the time Stan and I married and my friendship with Richard’s parents began, Richard and Stan Jr were young men starting out on their own. I am so sorry that Richard passed so far before his time, and my heart goes out to Carole and Gorgio, and to all Richard’s loved ones. He was a fine young man and he came from very good parents.

To the Bonicelli Family,

Please accept my most sincere sympathies for the loss of Richard B.. May the prayers of all people who loved him bring solace to your soul. Rich was a great guy and a great military wingman. He will surely be missed.


I am proud to have served with Rich and so very sad he is gone so soon.  He was a great pleasure to work with and so good at taking care of people. I enjoyed chatting with him on my visits back to Goldsboro.  My heart goes out to the Bonnicelli family. This is a sad loss for you particularly but it affects all who knew him. 

In times like this, the English language does escape me…but I can convey a simple and heartfelt truth.  Rich was a gentleman, a trusted soul and a professional Airman.  We shall all miss him…Cheers to you my friend.

To the Bonicelli and 916th Family - I give  my sincere condolences to you all.  Too young too soon...  He was a smart, great guy and always nice to me at the 916th.  It was a pleasure to work with him.  Please take care with hugs.

Very Respectfully, Miss Christina J. Farrell, Veteran, U.S. Air Force

Please allow me to express my most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family of Richard Bonicelli.  I remembered him well and enjoyed working with him while we served in the 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.  Much Blessings to the family.  

Command Chief Master Sergeant (Retired)  

Rich was always so kind to me and accepted me as an extended part of his family.  He was so proud of Alex and Ricky and their accomplishments as young adults. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Rest In Peace Rich.

I had the pleasure of working with him during deployments, exercises and inspections when I was assigned to the 916th prior to my retirement in 2011. He was always helpful and easy to approach. He will be missed by those of us who knew him when and those still serving. My prayers go out to his family during the loss of their loved one. 

Sharon Loring, TSgt Retired 

It's been a long time since I have seen you, but you have always been a wonderful and happy person.
May you rest in peace and we will see each other again 🙏 

Rich you will always be a great man, wingman, and friend. You will be greatly missed and I will always think about you when I find a blind guy driving a van down the highway.  Rest easy brother and til Valhalla.

It was a pleasure serving with you.  Gone too soon!  Rest in Peace Riccardo <3

I had the pleasure of working with Rich during my time with the 77th/916. He is a great guy & tried to put up a tough front but I knew inside he was a Teddy bear. He once told me not to tell anyone about the Teddy bear I knew he had inside, after he personally thanked me for congratulating him and Rachelle(via text) on their engagement, the next time I saw him. He & Keny made my time fly by in the long range scheduling shop, Rich was like a Uncle figure for me and it is such a shock he is gone, I am so sorry & wish love and healing to his family. I will buy a box of bullets every time I'm @ Dicks, for ya Rich.  Till Valhalla Brother!

A genuine friend who would help in any way he could at any point in time. Will be missed beyond measure……. Rest my brother

OBITUARY

Richard Ettore Bonicelli

August 23, 1968 – January 2, 2022

Cotten Funeral Home

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