Carmine “Chick” Riccitelli Sr., 93, of East Haven, beloved husband of the late Marie Piscatelli Riccitelli for over 65 years, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus at home on July 30, 2024. He leaves behind his three devoted and loving children, Carmine “Ricky” (Patricia) Riccitelli Jr. of East Haven, Linda (Ronald) Houde of Branford, and Craig Riccitelli of East Haven. He will be sadly missed by his loving grandchildren, Ronald (Kelly) Houde Jr., Rebecca (Brendhan) Naudé, Caitlin Riccitelli, and Tierney Riccitelli, as well as his three great-grandchildren, Lily and Haley Naudé and Clark Houde who all brought so much joy to his life.

He was born in New Haven on Nov. 30, 1930, to the late Carlo and Julia Arpino Riccitelli who immigrated here from Italy. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Pasquale Riccitelli, Joseph Riccitelli, Carmino Riccitelli, and George Riccitelli, and his sisters, Mary Quagliano and Lucy Anyzeski, as well as his niece and goddaughter Lucinda Simone and niece Dawn Riccitelli. He leaves behind his brother, Albert Riccitelli; and sisters, Filomena “Dolly” Apuzzo, Gloria Daly, and RoseMary Riccitelli; his goddaughters, JoAnn Gradzik and Donna Riccitelli; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was a devoted Catholic and a hardworking man who was devoted to his family. He always had a joke ready for family and friends. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. An avid bowler, (both duckpins and big pins) he earned an award for a perfect score of 300. He also enjoyed playing cards, bocce, chess and watching UConn men’s and women’s basketball.

He attended Boardman Trade School where he studied to be an electrician and founded Rickey’s Electric in 1965. A hard worker and an expert in his trade, he also worked for several area electrical contractors including Genovese & Massaro, Shocki Electric, Local 90, Treadwell Electric and then later, for Penn Central, ConRail, and finally Metro-North Commuter Railroad where he retired from in 2005, at 75 years old.

The family would like to thank CNA Lisa Amann for her years of compassion and care, as well as the caregivers from Synergy Homecare of East Haven.

His funeral procession will leave the Porto Funeral Home, 234 Foxon Road (Route 80), East Haven, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Our Lady of Pompeii Church. Interment with military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Sign Carmine’s guest book online at www.portofuneralhomes.net.