Joseph F. Riccelli's Obituary
Joseph F. Riccelli, 79, of Fort Lauderdale, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Joseph was born in Syracuse to the late Joseph and Rita (Bonn) Riccelli. He was the CEO and Founder of Riccelli Enterprises and with that, laid the foundation of a remarkable legacy with just a $500 loan from his father to purchase a single dump truck. Today, the company he proudly built employs nearly 400 people and stands as the leading provider of construction materials and services across Central New York. Joseph was also an avid horseracing fan and loved taking trips to Saratoga. He enjoyed football and watching his son, little Joseph, play baseball; family was the most important to him and he cherished time spent with them above all else.
In addition to his parents, Joseph is predeceased by his brother-in-law, Patrick “Lozzy” Nesci.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marleen (Vatne) Riccelli; his children, Lucille (Denny) Nicholson, Richard (Andrea) Riccelli, Rita Riccelli, and Joseph Anthony Riccelli; his grandchildren, Paige, Claire, and Joseph Nicholson and Richard, Joseph, and Katarina Riccelli; his sister, Carol Nesci; his nieces and nephew, Andrea, Alicia, and Patrick; along with several cousins.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse. A funeral mass in celebration of Joseph’s life will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. in Our Lady of Pompei/ St. Peter Church, 301 Ash St. Syracuse. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or at https://t2t.org
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