In memoriam

Giacoppo, Richard C. “Ricky” 

of Norwood, passed away on May 11, 2019. 

He was 34 years of age.

We lost our beloved boy, Ricky. There are no words to describe our insurmountable grief. We had the joy of having Ricky with us for the last two months at home. We spent time together walking his dog Lady, binge watching our favorite shows, laughing at silliness, supporting his hope of getting in shape, and dream of working at the MSPCA where he once volunteered. He went to school at UMASS Boston for substance abuse as a counselor and hoped he could one day return to complete the program. He was looking forward to spending more time with his brother’s, Chris, Nick and their girlfriends, Katie and Virginia that he loved so dearly. In the past few weeks, Ricky spent time with his Grandmother Sissy, Grandfather Pa, Auntie Cheryl, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was so appreciative of these good times with them. Ricky’s family was everything to him. Ricky was a special soul and like no other. Anyone that had the privilege of meeting him experienced his incredible hugs, and his fierce loyalty. He had a beautiful smile, quick wit, and a sense of humor like no other. He could always make us laugh even during the toughest of times. Since early childhood Ricky had a passion for reading. His bedtime books consisted of four sometimes five books. He continued his love of reading throughout his life. Ricky was an intelligent man that could have done anything.

We lost our beloved son after his long battle with substance use. Through all the pain and joy we loved him with our hearts and souls, and never gave up hope that he would beat this insidious disease. We pray he is at peace and is with his Grandmother Nana and Grandfather Butch who he loved and they loved him so very much. There will not be a day that we don’t continue to love him and miss him so very much. We will carry him in our hearts and souls until we meet again.

Beloved son of Richard M. and Bernadette M. (MacDonald) Giacoppo. Loving grandson of Matthew Giacoppo of Burlington and the late Thelma Giacoppo, Mary “Sissy” O’Neil of Watertown and the late Henry “Abie” MacDonald. Devoted brother of Christopher and Nicholas Giacoppo of Portland, ME. Ricky is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ricky to

“The Family Restored” https://thefamilyrestored.org/

Services

 All services are private. 

Memories

Amy Kuphal

May 15, 2019

Richie, Bea, Nick, and Chris,
My heart breaks for your family and the pain you are in with Ricky's passing. Sitting here writing this now, I know there are no words that will take that pain away and I feel like "I'm sorry for your loss" seems hardly enough. Please know that I am grieving with you and am ALWAYS here if you need someone to chat with, someone to lend a hand with anything around the house, or an ally to continue to fight against this disease that is taking far too many lives. Sending you love, thoughts, and prayers. 

-Amy (and Kallie)

Janna Giacoppo

May 15, 2019

Ricky was the sweetest soul with a heart of gold and he will be missed by all of us for the rest of our days. I am so grateful I was able to see him and have Pa’s Sunday dinner together 2 weeks ago. We laughed and joked with Pa and it was so amazing to see him doing so well. Some of my fondest memories of Ricky are of us on our family trips to Aruba and especially of how much he loved our Nana Thelma. They would sit and play cards and talk for hours and I know in my heart they are together again, watching down over us now. I pray Ricky you are now at peace and just know how much you are loved by us all. You may be gone in body but will live on with us in spirit forever.

Chrissy Winslow

May 15, 2019

I’m so privileged to have had Ricky in my life for so many years. I will forever cherish every memory. He was so very loyal to those he loved, and cared for. I’m so proud to call him my best friend. This world, and life will never be the same without him in it, but I know he will always be watching over us.
My deepest condolences go out to Richard, Bernadette, Nicholas, Christopher, and the rest of the family. This is a great loss, and he will forever be missed.
Fly high my lil boo boo bear Ricky Rockstah! Love you to the moon and back!
With love,
Chrissy

Matthew Giacoppo

May 15, 2019

RICKY AND I WERE VERY CLOSE
RICKY WAS THE SWEETEST KINDEST CARING KID I KNEW AND HE MAY BE GONE BUT HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOREVER.
 

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WERE AT A YOUNG AGE I NEVER LOOKED AT HIM LIKE YOU WOULD A COUSIN I ACTUALLY CONSIDERED HIM MORE LIKE A BROTHER BECAUSE WHEN WE WOULD SEE EACH OTHER WE WERE ATTACHED AT THE HIP. CHRIS AND NICK BOTH UNDERSTAND THIS AS WELL BECAUSE IN OUR FAMILY WE MAY BE COUSINS BUT WERE ALOT CLOSER THAN THAT AND THATS ALWAYS BEEN THE WAY.
 

AS WE GREW OLDER WE KIND OF WENT OUR OPPOSITE WAYS BUT THE LOVE AFFECTION AND RESPECT WE HAD FOF EACH OTHER WAS ALWAYS THERE.
 

THIS IS SUCH A HARD DAY FOR MY AUNT BEA UNCLE RICHARD AND CHRIS AND NICK AND I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO HELP MY FAMILY THROUGH THIS TOUGH TIME. I WANT THE 4 OF YOU TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU IM SO SORRY AND I MISS ALL OF YOU DEARLY.
 

RICKY TOUCHED EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF US AND THE MEMORIES OF VACATIONS AND GOOD TIMES I HAD WITH HIM WILL BE WITH ME FOREVER.
 

AS HARD AS THIS DAY IS FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF WE HAVE TO ALL TRY AND REMEMBER RICKY IN A POSITIVE LIGHT BECAUSE HE WAS ONE OF A KIND AND AS SAD AS THIS IS I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT RICKY GIACOPPO WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS BEING THE KID WHO COULD ALWAYS GET YOU TO SMILE NO MATTER HOW BAD THINGS WERE.
 

HE MAY BE GONE BUT HES NEVER GOING TO BE FORGOTTEN. I LOVE YOU RICKY I KNOW YOUR WATCHING DOWN ON ME HOPING TO SEE ME SMILE BECAUSE THATS THE LIGHT YOU ALWAYS BROUGHT TO EVERYONE WHEREEVER YOUD GO.

Michael Giacoppo

May 15, 2019

Our hearts are broken. Our prayers and support are with Richard, Bea, Chris & Nick who must try to find the strength to assuage the pain of losing Ricky. We last saw him a week ago laughing and smiling while working in the Yard. It was so encouraging to see him lately. Throughout the years he always had that smile and upbeat persona even in the midst of his personal journey. As a family we saw the ups and downs and we all prayed that Ricky would be okay. Today we grieve his passing but in the days & years to come we will find peace from the memories he leaves us with. As a family our peace will not come soon enough nor without difficulty. For our beloved Ricky his peace has now come and perhaps that may be the only thing that makes any sense of all this.

Sarah Lyden

May 15, 2019

Rich & Bernadette,
We share our deepest condolences for the loss of your son. Please know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sarah & Mandy Lyden

Sue Wicklund

May 15, 2019

Dear Richie and Family,
No words can take away the heartache and pain you have and will have forever. I hope that someday you can think of Ricky and talk about Ricky without so much pain and it will be happy thoughts, memories and remembrances

that will bring joy to your heart, and hopefully lessen the pain a little bit.
God must have really needed him for a VERY special reason, a reason only Ricky could fulfill.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time. I am so sorry for you loss.
Love,
Sue Wicklund

Christine Giacoppo Goucher

May 14, 2019

Sending my heartfelt prayers and thoughts to all of you... Never any doubt that Ricky knew he was Always Loved by his family. 

Love cousin Chrissy and Family xo.

Joe Montesano

May 14, 2019

Rich and family, I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Joe Montesano

Selden Tearse

May 14, 2019

To the Giacoppo Family: The smiling photo of your dear son caught my eye today while I was reading the obituaries in The Boston Globe, something I do most days. I am the mother of 2 kids, ages 18 & 21 and, although I don't know your family and didn't know your beloved Ricky, my heart aches for the pain you so graciously depicted in your brave obituary for him. I pray that your son is at peace. With all best wishes for healing now and in the future. 

Mrs. Selden Tearse

Mario and Cheryl Costa

May 14, 2019

Giacoppo Family,
What a wonderful picture you painted of Ricky. He sounded like a joyful soul. Cheryl and I want to let you know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless your family.

 

Bill & Donna Brooks

May 14, 2019

Rich & Bernadette, we are so sorry for your incredible loss. Perhaps it’s a small consolation but it sounds - and we hope - like the last few weeks you spent together will provide you with lasting memories of your beloved son. Please know that we, and everyone in the NPD family, will keep Ricky and you both in our thoughts and prayers.

JoEllen Graham

May 14, 2019

Ricky and I have been friends for awhile. I watched him when he was doing well and when he was so sick from this rapacious disease. He always was there to help others and a positive word. Smiling face , a text , a hug. I will miss the talks we had in my office . His loss is so painful but I know he is at peace with his Nana. He is watching over us know. Fly high Rockstar ❤️🙏🏻

Debbie McAuliffe

May 14, 2019

Bea, Richie and Family,
I know words can't take away the hurt you're feeling, but we want you to know how much we care. Sending you love and strength in this time of loss.
Our thoughts are prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.
Debbie and Joe McAuliffe

Sue Barron

May 13, 2019

To Bernadette, Richie, Nick and Chris,
My heart is broken for you all. Having worked with Bernadette for a number of years and being close friends with her since, I know the love she has for all of you. While I did not know Ricky, I have heard so many wonderful things about his kind, warm and funny personality, and I know how close you all were. I am aware of the boundless love Bernadette has for all of you and that she did and would do anything for her family members. I am sure that Ricky knew how much you all loved him. May the memories of good times help you with your grief. Take care of one another and let others shower you with their love. I pray for all of
you to find strength. Love and hugs, 

Sue Barron

Scott Giacoppo

May 13, 2019

A truly kind sole stolen too soon, you will always be loved and remembered.

Lisa Fitzgibbon

May 13, 2019

Bea, Richie, Nick and Chris,
No words can ease the pain you are all feeling at this time. You are all a very special family to us and the memories we have have with you all will be stored in our hearts forever. We will never forget Ricky’s beautiful eyes and smile. Whenever he saw us, we always were welcomed with a sincere hug, smile and some funny comment. We first met Ricky at about 18 months old as neighbors And us Wilcum family’s became like family.
We can never forget Ricky, Matt, and Megan Kenzie (as Rick called her) running around the neighborhood on pleasant street. Rick always was full of life and had an infectious laugh.
We loved talking to you because you knew so much about so many topics. Such interesting conversations to be had with Ricky as he got older. We understand so well your struggles and always had you in our prayers. You adored your family and it was evident.
Family times with you at birthdays, first communions, etc were always special with your family and you. You were a character with such a great personality.
You will be missed. We know now that you are at peace and feeling the warmth and Love of Gods embrace where there is no pain., only Glory. And.. you are with your loved ones that went before you, how beautiful is that. Gods plan may have cut your life short here on earth with your family and friends, but eternal life lives on for you now. May you Rest In Peace Ricky. We will never forget you. Send the love down to your family too as they need to feel you right now.
Until we meet again
We love you all
Lisa, Michael, Matt, Joe and Whitney

Susan Kuphal

May 13, 2019

To a wonderful, loving and strong family,
There are no words that will help, at this moment. I just hope that you can feel the love that we are sending you, at this time and always.
We have had the pleasure of knowing your family, since our children brought us together, back when they were toddlers and we would have our neighborhood playgroup. Ricky always had a beautiful smile and a great kindness about him. I see that same beautiful smile in the picture that you share with all of us today.
I pray the you take comfort in the knowledge that Ricky was as blessed to have you as a family, as you were to have him.
Sue and Dave

Robert Rinn

May 13, 2019

Richie and Bernadette,
Please know that you were both great parents and that your son, Ricky was taken by God because he needed Ricky at this time.
I know and many others know what great parents you have been and continue to be. Unfortunately your son got caught up in something bigger than all of us, the struggles of addiction and was unable to escape those demons by himself, or even with all the assistance that you and others offered. He was his own man. So sad that he got caught up in this opioid addiction and he could not see his way out. There is nobody to blame for this except the drug dealers. Certainly not parents who struggled and poured their hearts out. Once Ricky was hooked even he had no control as much as would have liked to.
Ricky was a nice and respectful young man who had a big heart that he didn’t get to use as much as he would have liked to because of addiction.
Please cherish the good and great days with him and know that you are blessed with him as an angel looking down on you now. 

God Bless. 🙏🙏

Rick McAuliffe

May 13, 2019

With sympathy, understanding and prayer. May you be comforted in the light of love, today and during the tough road ahead. 

Peace and God bless, 

Rick and Cathy McAuliffe

Robert Rinn

May 13, 2019

Richie and Bernadette
Please know that this insidious disease knows no bounds. You were great parents who did and would do anything for your children. I know it’s hard not to look for blame at this time, but there is nobody to blame. This
crisis opioid addiction is bigger than all of us combined.
Please know that I am sure Ricky knew you always supported and worked hard for him and he LOVED you and all that you did With him, and For him.
You enjoyed many special days and times, take these memories to the bank. They are precious for forever.
Unfortunately the disease of addiction does not have a heart like you do. It’s bigger than us.
Be proud of the fine son you brought up and all the good things that he did in his life.
God Bless. 🙏🙏🙏

Joanne and James Hurst

May 13, 2019

To Richie, Bea, Chris and Nick,
Our hearts are heavy for all of you. No parent should ever have to bury their child. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers for strength. We love you. Hugs.
Jimmy and Joanne Hurst