CANFIELD — Fernando Riccioni, 91, died Monday, July 18, 2022, at Windsor House in Canfield.

Fernando was born Nov. 11, 1930, in Fano Adriano, Italy, the son of Antonio and Filomena Riccioni. He came to the United States after marrying his beautiful bride, Rose DeArcangelis, on Sept. 4, 1960.

During their life together, he worked a variety of jobs, including painting, railroad construction and the Heinz Steel Industries, until an industrial accident changed the course of his career. During his recovery, he was fortunate enough to have good friends, Patsy and Flora Acconcia, with whom he created a partnership that would become Wedgewood Pizza.

Fernando was a member of the Sons of Italy Carmella Foti Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, the Austintown Growth Foundation and numerous organizations. He was a former member of St. Anthony Church in Youngstown and a current member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Canfield.

He received many honors for his dedication and generosity to the community. He also received many awards, such as “Italian Man of the Year” at the Youngstown Italian Fest, Hall of Fame for Austintown Township, National Independent Pizza Operator of the Year and two-time grand marshal of the Austintown Independence Parade. He was a major supporter of all athletics, which garnered him the unofficial “Mayor of Austintown.”

On his 90th birthday, he was celebrated by Austintown with a key to the township and a park bench at Austintown Township Park. In addition to working tirelessly at the pizza shop, he enjoyed family gatherings, football and Monday nights at Waterford Park, aka Mountaineer. Fernando became genuinely happy about the opening of Hollywood Gaming and the racetrack — he even had his own table.

He is survived by his two daughters, Adelina (Michael) Christy of Canfield and Filomena Riccioni of Canfield, with whom he made his home; a grandson, Michael (Caryn) Christy of Austintown, granddaughters, Jena Christy of Canfield and Gabriella (Vito) Palumbo of Boardman; four great-grandchildren, Kiley, Daniella, Vincenzo and Michael III; his companion, Carol Geletka; his brothers, Aminta Riccioni, Gustavo (Theresa) Riccioni and Romano (Onarina) Riccioni; a brother-in-law, Angelo Chiatti, all of Italy; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves his beloved caregiver, Leslie Collins; and loving and loyal pet, Cosmo.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rose M. Riccioni, who died Nov. 19, 1998; a brother, Valentino Riccioni; and a sister, Fausta Chiatti.

The Riccioni family would like to thank Windsor House of Canfield and Hospice of the Valley for taking such good care of Fernando.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2022, at St Michael Church in Canfield. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.

This tribute may be viewed and condolences sent to www.higgins-reardon.com.

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