ROBERT D. LaRICCIA, age 76; beloved husband of Emma (nee Cooke) for 30 years and the late Della Kathleen (nee Andrews); loving father of Tina Marie Peffer (Jack), Robert LaRiccia (Debra), and Jeanette LaRiccia (Reinhard Dill); stepfather of Michael, John (Denise), and Jason Sahady; dearest grandfather of Rachel Smith, Karl and Larissa Pater, Sophia and Gabrielle Tokich, and Morgan Sahady; great grandfather of Autumn, Dominic, Elliot, Isabella, Jenette, John, and Immanuel; son of the late Dominic and Anna (nee Ciccone) beloved brother of Michael, Ronald (Geneva), and the late Dolores Orlosky and Beverly Spontelli. Mr. LaRiccia served as a proud member of The United States Marine Corps. After the service, he worked as a machinist for National Acme Company and served as a union steward for MESA-AFL-CIO (Mechanics Educational Society of America). In 1985, he was appointed to the position of National Representative; in 1988, he was elected to serve as the National Secretary-Treasurer and was re-elected in 1990. The national office of MESA was in Detroit, Michigan, and for the four years he served as Secretary-Treasurer, he drove to Detroit every day. In 1992, he was elected National President of MESA, and his first official business in office was to move their national headquarters to Cleveland, Ohio. In the year 2000, he approached his membership with the offer to lead them into a merger with the UAW. They voted yes to the merger, and MESA was made a council of UAW until his retirement in January, 2001. Mr. LaRiccia was a highly skilled negotiator whose efforts greatly affected the lives of thousands of people during his longstanding career with the union. He was highly respected by both his membership and the management of the companies he served because he was ever mindful that fairness needed to be extended to the company, as well as his members, to guarantee the company's longevity and the continued employment of his members. He was a lifelong staunch advocate of equal rights for all. An avid bowler and a lover of the game of golf, he always competed against himself to do better than he did the last time. He never gave up hope that the CAVS and the Browns would make it next year. As a loving father, "Pops" was protector, provider, teacher, and advocate; the greatest role model a child could ask for, and in our adult years, our best friend. "We cherish and hold tight to all that you have given us"till we meet again." The family would like to thank Dr. Tim Sidor for your honesty and compassion, and Fr. Dennis Kristancic, Holy Family Church, for answering our call. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Seasons of Life Hospice, University Hospitals Parma Medical Center, 7007 Powers Blvd., Parma, OH 44129. Services at the funeral home Thursday October 8 at 12:30 p.m. Interment Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Friends received at RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.), WEDNESDAY 2-4 AND 6-8 P.M.
