Richard “Rico” Cianfaglione — beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, businessman and successful entrepreneur — died Dec. 28 at age 88 after a hard-fought battle with colon cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Rico was born in Pratola Peligna, Italy, on Oct. 9, 1928 to a strong, hard-working Italian family. Preceded by his father, Giovanni, who was working as a contractor in Pennsylvania, Rico immigrated from Italy to Ellis Island at the age of eight years old with his brother, sister and mother. The family eventually settled in Yonkers, NY.
Rico graduated from West Point Academy at 18 years old, and immediately entered the Merchant Marines. He traveled all over the world several times, including the Antarctic, the South Pacific, and the North and South Poles.
During his leave, he traveled back to Italy and met the love of his life, Pina. They were married on Nov. 19, 1953 and just recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. Through hard work, perseverance and sacrifice, Rico and Pina built a successful ice cream business in The Bronx, NY, while raising their seven children.
“Rico credited much of his good fortune to the opportunities that the United States afforded him,” a loved one wrote to The Malibu Times. “He strongly believed that ‘education was the key to success,’ and that ideal lives on with his grandchildren.”
He is survived by his younger brother Romeo Cianfaglione, his devoted wife Pina Cianfaglione, his seven children and spouses Bobby and Donna Cianfaglione, Richy and Elaine Cianfaglione, Angela Cianfaglione, Lydia McAndrew, Ronny and Irina Cianfaglione, Linda DiMattia, and Laura and Mark Festen; 10 grandchildren: Michelle, Richie, Natalia, Devin, Julia, Barrett, Nico, Jack, Vincent and Kate; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins around the world. Before his passing, Rico and Pina welcomed their first great-granddaughter Genevieve Renee.
“Rico will be remembered for his grand storytelling and larger-than-life persona,” wrote a loved one. “He appreciated good music, good food, and good company.”
A funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Malibu Church on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.