Richard (Dick) Racioppa

Richard (Dick) Racioppa, 80, of Utica, NY, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday December 19, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Richard was born in Utica on April 14, 1942, to the late John and Violet (DeRosa) Racioppa. After graduating from New Hartford High School, he briefly attended Mohawk Valley Community College before joining the family optical business, Genesee Optical. Always a people person, Richard spent over 25 years working as a dealer at the Turning Stone Casino where he enjoyed conversations with different people each night. Most recently, he worked at Catholic Charities as a member of the residential staff.

In 1966, he met Sharon Perry and they married in 1969, recently celebrating 53 years of marriage. In 2019, they realized their lifelong dream of traveling to Italy to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, a trip he would frequently speak about to friends and family.

He had a love of the beauty he found in NYS and often enjoyed day trips to the Adirondacks and, in the early years of their marriage, were known to drive to Little Italy in New York City for dinner. While everyone has their personal memories most will agree he will be remembered for his sense of humor and repertoire of jokes, all of which are inappropriate to print. Anyone who knows him will know that his love for his wife could only be rivaled by his love of Barbra Streisand. One of his biggest sources of pride was meeting her in a restaurant in New York City.  She noticed his dinner said, “I’ll have what he’s having.”

Richard was a devoted father and a source of quiet strength to his children, supporting them and their spouses in all aspects of their lives. As a grandfather, he was always willing to babysit and was especially fond of slipping them candy when no one was looking. He attended countless sporting events, concerts, and dance recitals often taking the opportunity to catch a quick nap at most of these events.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Perry Racioppa; his four children, Richard (Melissa) Racioppa of Clinton NY; Shawn Racioppa of Utica, NY; Eugenia Racioppa Smith (Jim) of Utica, NY; and Michael Racioppa and Daniel Casatelli of Astoria, NY. He leaves behind one brother Emmet (Miller) Racioppa; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Barbara and David Suppa & Arthur and Marie Perry; six grandchildren, Alexis, Andrew, Erica, Joseph, Emma, and Hailey. He will also be missed by several nieces and nephews and several close friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 from 5-7 pm at The Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home 1122 Culver Ave, Utica. Funeral services will be Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 11:00 am in Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish (Lourdes Campus) 2222 Genesee St. Utica, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Private entombment will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum in Holy Trinity Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a sincere Thank You to the staff of the ICU unit at St. Luke’s Hospital, especially to Tammy, Allison, Erica, and Bethanie, for the compassion, consideration, and care extended to Richard and his family during this difficult time.