Joseph Ronald Ricci
Joseph Ricci was born on June 29, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA. After attending local schools, he entered the military in 1955 and served until 1958. It was during this time that he honed his skills entertaining troops in the special services and upon his discharge he entered the world of music, where he would leave his indelible mark under the professional name, Ricci Mareno. While still in Philadelphia, Ricci flourished as a songwriter and record producer finding success with Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Al Martino.
In 1967 he moved his family to Nashville, TN where he went to work for Combine Music with fellow songwriters Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson. Ricci soon garnered writing success with recordings by Waylon Jennings, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Dean, Dottie West, Tom Jones, Connie Smith, Eddy Arnold and Charlie Rich. Over the next twenty years, Ricci produced over 36 hit records and 50 albums for Columbia, ABC, Mercury, Dot and others, including 4 number one records on Tommy Overstreet. During this time, Ricci was awarded SESAC’s Country Music Writer of the Year, Producer of the Year and over 100 awards of all descriptions. In the 1980’s and beyond, Ricci turned his attention towards the ever growing video and TV market, producing shows with Randy Travis, Gene Watson, Roy Acuff and many members of the Grand Ole Opry.
Friends remember him as a wonderful storyteller with a keen sense of humor. Always willing to help out those in need, his home at times was filled with musicians and writers from around the world, hoping to capture some of his golden touch. With a guitar close at hand, he was quick to weave his brand of country music into lyrics that now have a timeless place in history.
Ricci is survived by his wife, Suzette; his children: Patti, Dennis, Tracy, Suzie and Stephanie; his mother, Vicky; his sister, Pat; and his twelve grandchildren: Allison, Rachel, Joey, Brian, Adam, Nicholas, Grace, Mychael, Hailee, Jonathan, Christian and Zachary. He was preceded in death by his father, Mareno.
Ricci passed away on Feb 17, 2008. He was 69.
I am one of his grandkids,Christian.
Me and my brother would call him Pop Pop. And i just want to say that… he was a very good man,and he was loved by many people. I will dearly miss him , and i know many other people will to . Even though he’s not with us, i know he’s in a better place watching over us,and may God bless his soul.
Ricci was one of my dearest friends. I was blessed to know him and honored to have worked with him. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends.
Sue and Family-
Our prayers are with you.
Love, The Seely Family
Bryan, Mary Laurens, Zim and Eliza
I am Hailee one of his twelve grandkids.We will all miss the 69 year old man we all loved. and he was my last grandpa.But he was in alot of pain and we should all know he’s in a better place now.
Dad…. You always knew you were my hero. You taught me to dream. You taught me to believe that I could be whatever I wanted to be and you never gave up on me even when I gave up on myself.
It has been my honor to be your son and to have stood by your side. I can never fill your shoes, they have walked to far. I can only hope that in your lifetime you knew how proud I was to call you Dad.
I love you
Dennis
Dad…. You always knew you were my hero. You taught me to dream. You taught me to believe that I could be whatever I wanted to be and you never gave up on me even when I gave up on myself.
It has been my honor to be your son and to have stood by your side. I can never fill your shoes, they have walked to far. I can only hope that your lifetime you knew how proud I was to call you Dad.
I love you
Dennis
It is with deep sadness I write this. I learned of Ricci’s passing only tonight at 10:30PM 2-21-08. I was saddened and shocked to learn of this, as I now live too far away to make his funeral tomorrow. Ricci and I shared many memorable moments, and I treasure the hit records he produced on me. He was a true “Song Man”…unfortunately there aren’t many like him left. May our Lord strengthen his family at this difficult time.
I can remember him saying many times, “Hey T.O. I think I’ve just written a new song you’re gonna love!” And I always did.
God bless his family, and may they always have his music to keep him in their loving memory.
Sue and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May God bless you and your family.
To my nieces and nephews
I want to tell all of u how sorry I was to hear of dads death, He was my brother in law since I was 4 years old and godfather to my son,he was a part of my life for a long time and I will never forget him and how many times he was there for me and my family.He now will rest in peace and suffer no more,Ronny will always be my brother in law,I could never forget, because of the beautful children he lift behind.So please take care of yourself and your fsmily, I love all of u.
love Aunt Terry
Kenny and Frankie
TO THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH RICI I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE. I REMEMBER HOW HIM AND HIS FAMILY HAD THE DOOR ALWAYS OPENED FOR FRIENDS. JOSEPH YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MANY FRIENDS. KATHY EMMONS
My prayers and best wishes go out to all of Joe’s extended family. Lots of years, lots of memories. Lisa and I want you all to know that you are loved and thought about often. May Joe rest from his life’s journey. Nancy
Sue and all my neices and nephews,
Ronnie was my brother and a great person. Even though we didn’t see eachother often, we talked on the phone and via the computer. When I had problems he was always just a phone call away. I hope if you ever need any of us you will do the same. Our prayers and thoughts will always be with each and everyone of you. We love all of you.
We are friends of Pat and Ed Porter. We are so sorry to hear the sad news.
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Henry Scott Holland
He was alot of things to alot of people. To me he was Daddy and I
love and miss him every day.
I did not know ricci, but I’m an old friend of his wife Suzette’s.
My concolences to all of the family.