Louis B. Ricci

Louis B. Ricci, 88, resident of The Avenue, 526 Altamont Ave., Schenectady for the past 3 years, died Friday, May 3 after a short illness. Louis was the son of Julia (Vella) and Andrew Ricci of Woodlawn in Schenectady, born April 6, 1925. He resided in the area all of his life.
Lou enlisted in the Army Reserve in October 1942 then entered active duty in May 1943 during WWII. After basic training he joined the 14th Armored Division as an MP where he was transferred to Europe serving in the XXII Corps. In June 1945, after 8 weeks of Battle School, Lou was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry as a platoon leader in France, involved in battle during cleanup operations. In route to Japan, the war ended, and he was sent back stateside to train troops until released from active duty in April 1945. He remained in the Officer Reserve Corp until April 1953.
Louis was a professional bricklayer and stone mason, using these mediums with mortar to hold them together as his expression of artwork. He was head mason for Paul Schaefer of Niskayuna for many years where he garnered much experience and respect for his abilities. Lou enjoyed his mission of restoring many old fireplaces and chimneys in the Stockade area dating from the Dutch settlers during his career. In 1956 he started his own contracting company called "Colonial Inspired Construction by Lou Ricci," hired crew, acted as a general mason and carpenter, and built a number of homes from the foundation up. He also did stints as a licensed real estate agent throughout his life.
In his later years, from 1991, he enjoyed working as a security officer for Genesee Management Co. at Mohawk Mall and Rotterdam Square Mall, retiring in 2001. He loved to rescue lost children who had wandered off and found joy in reuniting them with their parents. He continued to do occasional masonry jobs into his 70's.
Lou volunteered as an Emergency Room Technician at Ellis Hospital for 3 years part time. He also volunteered as a member with the NY Rescue Squad in Stillwater for 3 years, and the East Glenville NY Fire Dept. for 3 years.
Lou enjoyed working out at health clubs as an avid bodybuilder all of his adult life. In his younger years he played semi-pro football and minor league baseball. He also enjoyed bowling, and bowled on numerous leagues over the years. He was a die-hard NY Yankees fan.
He was predeceased by his beloved Uncles Dominic Ricci, John Ricci and Lester Cinner, and his former wife Ardeth R. (Magee) Ricci. "Pop" as he liked to be called, is survived by his children who will miss him very much; Darlyne (Ricci) and Charles Hayes of Rotterdam, Greg Ricci of Carlisle, Lisa (Fox) and Curt Ricci of Glenmont, Derek Ricci of Amsterdam, and Gaylene Ricci of Sarasota, FL. He also leaves behind his precious grandchildren; Lisa M. Ricci, Joshua Ricci, Nicholas Ricci, Renee Ricci, Angela (Ricci) and Buddy Valentine, and a great-granddaughter Arianna Valentine. He is survived by his 99 year-old aunt Mary (Ricci) Cinner, half-brother John and Linda Ricci, FL, and half-sister Ann (Ricci) and Bill House, FL. He is also survived by Dorrene and Charles "Chuck" Russell, Merle and Carroll "Dave" Davis, Gail and Richard Kilby, all of Ballston Spa, and Andrea and Ira Kennedy of Bloomfield, KY, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the devoted healthcare staff at The Avenue, Ellis Hospital (C wing – 4th flr.) and Hospice for their care of our father at the close of his life. Raised in the Roman Catholic Church, Lou served as an altar boy, with many of his friends thinking he would someday become a priest because of his devotion to his duties. Later he accepted Jesus as his Savior. We are confident that he is in heaven with his beloved mother and infant baby brother, whom he lost as a child, his dad, grandparents, uncles, and all his departed relatives, Army buddies and friends. What a happy reunion! Our family releases him to R.I.P. with Jesus.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 am at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Schenectady. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Schenectady.