John L Ricci

John L. Ricci

Age 97

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

 It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved father, John L. Ricci, who passed away on January 21, 2026. We, his family, find comfort in the faith that our father now rests in the arms of our Lord, and that he is reunited with our mother, Celestine "Sally" (Bierschbach) Ricci in Heaven. John was born in Cumberland, Wisconsin to John C. Ricci and Mary F. Lombard. He was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Celestine (Sally) Bierschbach of Elrosa, Minnesota, with whom he enjoyed nearly 60 yrs. of marriage. John came from a large Italian family, the 7th of 15 surviving children. He was proud of his Italian heritage and taught his children to be the same. John was a WWII Navy Veteran. Following employment by the Great Northern Railroad for 20 years, John served the City of St. Paul for more than 22 years, six as Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Department; the remainder at the administrative level in the St. Paul Parks Department. He was the Project Manager for the creation of the Japanese Garden at Como Park. John had a deep love for the City of St. Paul and Minnesota. He always said, "Saint Paul has been good to me." He enjoyed an enduring curiosity about the natural world and loved hunting and fishing, especially in the North Shore and Arrowhead part of the State. John had an exceptional mechanical aptitude and could fix just about anything. He also had a keen political mind and was active in local and national politics. John loved to dance. Lindy Hop and polkas were his dances of choice. In his later years, John enjoyed the company of his beloved family, driving through the City of St. Paul and nearby towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where he reminisced and shared his love and knowledge of those locations. When he was no longer able to study birds and animals in the woods he observed the clouds, and the flight of birds and planes through his living room window. When he could no longer dance, he watched dancing on television, particularly a local noon-time polka program. He said, "I like to watch this program. I can no longer dance like I used to, but when I watch it on television I feel like I'm dancing inside." It also reminded him of his beloved "Sally", who he recalled would exclaim a joyous "WooHooHoo" when polkaing. He smiled or chuckled every time he heard that "WooHooHoo." John reflected, "I have had a good life. I had a beautiful wife, four children whom I love and who are great people, a roof over my head and enough food to eat. I have wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I couldn't ask for more. God has been good to me and I am very grateful for that." 

Survived by children Patricia (Howard) Stendahl, Sue Ricci, Joan (Kirk) Sirian and John (Karen) Ricci, brother George Richie and sisters Gloria Schell and Mary LaHood. He was incredibly proud of his 10 grandchildren, who lovingly called him "Grandpa Tadone," including Dan (Claudia), Ben (Melissa), Tim (Tanja), Jenny, Jackie (Chris), John (Katie), Bryan, Nicholas (Lindsay), Casey and Sam. His legacy continues through 19 great-grandchildren. Special thanks to caregivers Melanie, Marilyn, Carnetta, Jeri and Torrey who brought John such comfort.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 4:00-8:00 pm at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55106. Funeral Mass on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 11:00 am at the Church of Saint Patrick, 3535 72nd Street East, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076; with visitation beginning an hour prior at 10:00 am. Luncheon following the Mass and interment to follow at 2:15 with Military Honors at the Church of St. Patrick Cemetery.