Obituary for Francis R. Ricci
Francis R. (Frank) Ricci, 90, passed away on December 22, 2018 in his Wyomissing home. A devoted and dearly loved family man, Frank was also a knowledgeable, articulate, and engaging educator who was invariably charming, witty, patient, generous, and kind.
Born in Philadelphia in 1928, Frank graduated from Overbrook High School, and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. After military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Marie (Petrangelo). They were married 64 years until Marie’s death in 2013. They had one child — a daughter, Judi.
Frank’s formal education included a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University. Although an accomplished business professional, Frank’s true passion was always art and art history. He developed and directed the Art Discussion Series at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, and taught fine art appreciation at both Penn State University (Berks Campus) and Alvernia College. He produced, wrote, directed, and hosted the television series, Art in Review, which aired on Reading's BCTV during the 1980s and 1990s. He also volunteered as a docent at both the Historical Society of Berks County and the Reading Public Museum where he eventually served as Education Curator.
Frank also loved to express himself creatively. During his youth, he studied drawing and painting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Fleisher Memorial. He occasionally dabbled in studio art as an adult, but returned to it more seriously at the age of 85. He loved all aspects of the creative process from conception to execution, and produced many joyful, colorful, and expressive paintings which he exhibited regularly in both juried and non-juried shows.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 10 A.M. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading with entombment to follow at Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 P.M. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 237 Court St., Reading, PA 19601 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120 Chicago IL 60693. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Philadelphia in 1928, Frank graduated from Overbrook High School, and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. After military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Marie (Petrangelo). They were married 64 years until Marie’s death in 2013. They had one child — a daughter, Judi.
Frank’s formal education included a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University. Although an accomplished business professional, Frank’s true passion was always art and art history. He developed and directed the Art Discussion Series at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, and taught fine art appreciation at both Penn State University (Berks Campus) and Alvernia College. He produced, wrote, directed, and hosted the television series, Art in Review, which aired on Reading's BCTV during the 1980s and 1990s. He also volunteered as a docent at both the Historical Society of Berks County and the Reading Public Museum where he eventually served as Education Curator.
Frank also loved to express himself creatively. During his youth, he studied drawing and painting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Fleisher Memorial. He occasionally dabbled in studio art as an adult, but returned to it more seriously at the age of 85. He loved all aspects of the creative process from conception to execution, and produced many joyful, colorful, and expressive paintings which he exhibited regularly in both juried and non-juried shows.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 10 A.M. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading with entombment to follow at Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 P.M. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 237 Court St., Reading, PA 19601 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120 Chicago IL 60693. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.