Richard Giulio DiFilippo

Richard was a true local, born on December 8, 1949, in West Palm Beach. He and his beloved brother, Nando Jr., spent their childhood going back and forth between West Palm, New York City, and Quogue on Long Island behind the scenes of their dad’s restaurants. Richard attended Canterbury School in Connecticut and then went on to Georgetown University where he graduated in 1971. Richard loved the Hoyas so much that Nando, his nephew, niece, and daughters followed in his footsteps to the Hilltop.

After meeting his bride, Mary Ferol, in Washington, D.C., Richard attended law school but wisely thought better of it. Richard and Mary Ferol married at Dahlgren Chapel on Georgetown’s campus in 1974, and shortly thereafter Richard whisked Mary Ferol back to Palm Beach where they lived for over 40 years. Richard, Mary Ferol, and their three children, Gillian, Caitlin, and Patrick, made their home on Seaspray Avenue.

Back on the island, Richard found his true passion at the helm of Nando’s Restaurant on Royal Palm Way. For decades, Richard worked alongside his father, Nando Sr., who founded Nando’s in 1964. Eventually Richard took over Nando’s until it closed in 1998. Much like Richard, Nando’s was “old Palm Beach” – elegant, unpretentious, old fashioned, welcoming, fun, and a little quirky. Celebrities and politicians alike visited Nando’s often (Dr. J and Annette Funicello were some of Richard’s favorites) but Richard treated them the same as his regular customers: with dignity, respect, and a great smile. Social status meant nothing to Richard, but kindness and generosity were everything.

After Nando’s, Richard owned and operated Nando’s Beefeeder’s Steakhouse in West Palm Beach for several years. After a life in the restaurant industry, Richard became a wealth of knowledge about food and wine which he loved sharing with his friends and family. In fact, his son Patrick adopted his passion and made a career for himself in the food world.

Richard was deeply funny and very smart. He was no “Philistine”; he loved history and firmly believed everything of cultural significance started in Italy. He loved his family (especially his grandchildren), the Hoyas, watching sports, Jeopardy!, crossword puzzles, old Western movies, the ocean, dinners with the Flamingos, and Saturday morning runs with his running group on the Lake Trail (a tradition that started in 1985 and continues to this day).

Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Ferol; daughters Gillian DiFilippo Williston (Britton) of Virginia Beach and Caitlin DiFilippo Obringer (Steve) of Palm Beach Gardens; his brother Nando DiFilippo, Jr. (Roni) of Campione d’Italia, Italy; his nephew Jay DiFilippo of Rimini, Italy; niece Francesca DiFilippo of San Marino; five grandchildren, Richard Winfield Williston, Mary Grace Thomas Williston, Madeline Ferol Obringer, Stephen John Obringer, V, and Lillian Patrick Obringer; brothers-in-law who were like brothers; and many treasured friends who were like family.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Nando and Tina DiFilippo, and son, Patrick John DiFilippo. It is a comfort to everyone that Richard and Patrick are together again.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 5 at Quattlebaum Funeral and Event Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Edward Catholic Church, 144 N. County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480 on Saturday, June 6, at 10am, with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made online to St. Ann Place Outreach Center (2107 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33407) or Georgetown University (Georgetown University, Gift Processing Department, Number 0734, Washington, DC 20073-0734).