Joseph Thomas Ricci

Joseph Thomas Ricci, age 79 of Surprise, AZ, passed away peacefully on a lovely day, February 4, 2026. Joe was gathering fruit from his citrus trees alongside his faithful companion Sassy at the time of his passing. He spent the days prior enjoying conversations with his family and friends and watching his youngest granddaughter take some of her first steps via video phone. This is the way Joe would have wanted to end his time here.

Joe is reunited in heaven with his beautiful wife of over 51 years, Eileen Margaret Ricci. They are both survived by their 3 children, daughter Sharon Ricci (Lawrence), son Thomas Ricci (Dakota), and son Johnny Ricci (Amelia), as well as their granddaughters Pallas Frost and Talulah Ricci. Joseph also leaves behind his 2 sisters-in-law, Patricia Rowan and Sister Mary Sharon Donohue, along with many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Joe is also leaving behind his companion and shadow, Sassy, his rescue pitbull he adored, and a long list of friends spanning the globe, including his great friend Frank Davis, his wife Ginny, and many others who were part of his life in the St Clare of Assisi Church community.

Joe was a determined and straightforward man, stubborn to a fault, but he had an enormous heart and a dedication to giving back to those who had less opportunity than he did. Through his business career, his life as a youth sports coach and into his later involvement with the church, Joe was constantly working to improve the things he felt he could have a positive impact on. He was certainly headstrong and believed in a “my way or the highway” mantra, but his intentions were always sincere, and his dedication was never able to be questioned. His success can be measured by his generosity.

Joseph Ricci was born in the Bronx, New York, in November of 1946. He took pride in his hometown throughout his life and wore it as a badge of honor wherever he went. He was an only child who had two tough but loving parents who insisted he receive a fantastic education in school, and a neighborhood that taught him a different education in the streets. This combination of book smarts and street smarts defined his character throughout his life.

Joe attended Fordham Preparatory High School in the Bronx and went on to earn a college degree from Fairfield University in Connecticut. He began his career at Mallory Batteries in 1975, which later became Duracell, and held various leadership positions over his 30-year tenure. Joe was an industry pioneer in the Point of Purchase in Advertising industry and even received a few patents along the way for some of the work he created, specifically in display rack design.

During his college years, Joe met and fell in love with the most important person he’d ever known, Eileen. His persistence in pursuing her paid off, when despite her initial hesitance, they fell in love and were eventually married in December of 1970. Soon after moving to New Jersey, Sharon was born, followed by Thomas, and finally, after moving to Bethel, CT, Johnny.

Eileen and Joe raised their family in Bethel and later retired to their desert home in Surprise, Arizona. Joe continued to remain active in coaching youth sports for a few years and also as a business consultant with his company, Beacon Concepts. He eventually retired to spend more time traveling throughout national parks, taking in spring training or New York Yankee games, enjoying afternoon swims with Eileen, raising his dogs and volunteering at St Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church with Eileen, his fellow Knights of Columbus, and many friends he met along the way. His dedication to his family, friends, community, faith and country were the things he was most proud of and would want to be remembered for.

Friends and family are invited to the wake on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 4pm to 6pm at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W Bell Rd., Surprise, AZ 85374. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 10:30am at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 17111 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, AZ 85374. A private interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale, AZ.

The family requests that donations be made to the Arizona Humane Society, PO BOX 90610, Phoenix, AZ 85006-0610, in lieu of flowers.