Francesco S. “Sam” Rico, 74 died Thursday May 5 at home. He was a loving husband, father and Nonno (Italian for Grandpa). He was also a restaurateur, member of the Elks, the Italian-American Club of Billerica and a former sheriff’s deputy. He is survived by his wonderful wife, Catherine, son Nick and wife Carol and their boys, Isaac and Benjamin. He is also survived by his daughter, Christine Goff and her husband Rich and their girls Jillian and Kaitlyn. He is survived by his sisters, Concetta Rico of Italy, Rosa Venturo of Melrose, Emma Colasante of Malden and the late Rocco Rico, their families, many cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws throughout the Boston area, Canada and Italy.
Sam was born in a small farming town in the mountains of Abruzzo, Italy. He immigrated to the United States as a young man in 1955. He settled in with his sisters and their families in the North End of Boston, where he found work in a cheese factory and later as a construction laborer. In 1960 he voted for JFK in his first presidential election as an American citizen and more importantly he met and fell in love with Catherine Meoli. For Catherine and Sam it was love at first sight. They were married in 1963 on Washington’s Birthday and honeymooned in Washington, D.C. In 1964, they settled in Malden and their family flourished.
Sam found his passion for Italian food when he began working in restaurants in the 1960’s. He achieved his dream of owning a restaurant when he and a partner purchased Valenti’s Pizza (now Halftime Pizza) in the North Station area of Boston. He served great pizza to many Boston Bruins and Celtics and their fans. In the early 1970’s he struck out on his own and purchased Antonio’s Italian Restaurant, where he became a pillar of Billerica’s business community. He worked hard to expand the restaurant and create some great Italian food. He labored with Catherine at his side, serving Antonio’s customers well for 32 years. He was an entrepreneur who was serious about his business. He was also serious about education his children, so he put them through Catholic high schools and private colleges.
Sam’s generosity was legend in Billerica. He was also generous to family and friends, providing them with great food, laughter and fun. He threw joyful parties at Antonio’s -- functions such as weddings, graduation parties and sports celebrations. He always said that people will enjoy themselves if you give them great food, good music and good drink. The most memorable parties were the four he hosted for family and friends to celebrate the arrival of each of his four grandchildren. He adored the two boys and the two girls with a joy and a passion seldom seen. They were the light of his life.
Sam experienced a stroke in 2005. Catherine and their children became stewards of Sam’s restaurant until it was sold in 2007. Catherine also became Sam’s primary care giver since the stroke. Together they struggled to maintain a stable lifestyle at home, with help of in-home care workers. Sam went peacefully during in-home hospice care.
The family would like to thank Hallmark Hospice and the medical staff at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital for taking very good care of Sam throughout the past 5 years.
A funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, Monday at 12 Noon.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Visiting hours at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford will be held Sunday 4-8.
Services will conclude with entombment at Woodlawn Community Mausoleum, Everett.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent in Francesco’s name to the Asthma and Allery Foundation of America, New England Chapter, 109 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494.