Joseph V. Ricciardi

Joseph V. Ricciardi, of Munster Indiana, (formerly of East Chicago, IN), age 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 7, 2012. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Hoffman) and their children, Richard (Julie), Dean (Mary Kay), Karin Ricciardi-Jones (Rod), and Joseph (Kelly). He is also survived by seven loving grandchildren: Christopher, Shannon, Richard, Dean, Ryan, Giuseppe and Giovanna; and four great grandchildren: Chloe, Tyler, Aidan and Joseph. Also surviving are Joseph’s sisters Katherine Carroll and Mary Belzeski; sister-in-laws Pat Ricciardi and Barbara Lander; brother-in-laws Rev. Michael Hoffman and Daniel (Monica) Hoffman. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Lea (Faranda) and Giuseppe Ricciardi of Sinagra Messina, Italy; his sister Betty Ziller; his brother Carmelo; his brother-in-laws Robert Belzeski, William Carroll, Fred Lander, Jr.; and nephew Michael Ricciardi. Joseph was reared in East Chicago IN., graduated from Bishop Noll in 1955; and attended St. Joseph’s College. He married the love of his life, Patricia, and spent 53 loving years together. Joseph started as a bricklayer at Inland Steel; became an East Chicago police officer and retired from the force as a Lieutenant after 25 years of devoted service. Upon his retirement, he became a successful businessman throughout the Northwest Indiana region. He was a member of the Caesar Batista Lodge #27, Fraternal Order of Police, Goodfella Club, Highland Elks Lodge #981. Joseph loved his family; he was a devoted husband, father and a doting grandfather. Joe was a good friend to many, and loved a good time. He enjoyed a good meal, fun vacations and most of all, dinner with his family on Sundays.A celebration of Joseph’s life will begin on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 2-8 pm with a prayer service at 7:30 pm at Kish Funeral Home, (across from Fitness Pointe), 10000 Calumet Avenue Munster, IN. Our final goodbyes will begin on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 9 am at Kish Funeral Home and proceed to St. James Catholic Church, corner of 45th and Kennedy, Highland, IN for Mass at 10 am. Internment will follow immediately at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hammond, IN. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Share Foundation, www.sharefoundation.org or Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.com in his memory would be appreciated.