Obituary for John Angelo Ritacca
John A. Ritacca, 99, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at Brookside Care Center.
He was born on September 3, 1918, in Kenosha, the son of the late Joseph and Frances (Ruffalo) Ritacca.
On July 10, 1948, he married Arlene Pellegrino at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He attended St. James Kenosha High School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Hawaii.
He worked at Keystone Printing Co., then at MacWhyte until he retired in 1983. He was the longest serving Financial Secretary of UAW Local 960 for 33 years. John entered the service in March of 1941, and served in the Pacific. He served in the Radar Rangers in the Gilbert Islands to the second Marines, and then the Navy until the island was secured. He was honorably discharged on October 28, 1945. He boxed in Camp Davis and won three fights while he was a Ranger Technician and then went on to the Pacific in March of 1942.
John was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, Friends of Library, Senior Action, and Bradford Alumni. He served as Chairman of Mac Whyte Retirees, was an ex service member club, and Local 960. He also served on the board of Labor Paper.
He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and his yard.
John is survived by his wife of 69 years, Arlene; daughter, Janet (Tony) Venditti; son, James (Rita Johnson) Ritacca; grandsons, Michael J. (Tyrrell) Venditti, and Dr. John E. Venditti; a great-grandson, John B Venditti; a sister, Joyce (Don) Holland; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Sr. Pancratius Ritacca, OP.
John’s family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff at Brookside Care Center and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care they gave him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, March 7th, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 6th, at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Please omit flowers.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign John’s Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com
He was born on September 3, 1918, in Kenosha, the son of the late Joseph and Frances (Ruffalo) Ritacca.
On July 10, 1948, he married Arlene Pellegrino at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He attended St. James Kenosha High School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Hawaii.
He worked at Keystone Printing Co., then at MacWhyte until he retired in 1983. He was the longest serving Financial Secretary of UAW Local 960 for 33 years. John entered the service in March of 1941, and served in the Pacific. He served in the Radar Rangers in the Gilbert Islands to the second Marines, and then the Navy until the island was secured. He was honorably discharged on October 28, 1945. He boxed in Camp Davis and won three fights while he was a Ranger Technician and then went on to the Pacific in March of 1942.
John was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, Friends of Library, Senior Action, and Bradford Alumni. He served as Chairman of Mac Whyte Retirees, was an ex service member club, and Local 960. He also served on the board of Labor Paper.
He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and his yard.
John is survived by his wife of 69 years, Arlene; daughter, Janet (Tony) Venditti; son, James (Rita Johnson) Ritacca; grandsons, Michael J. (Tyrrell) Venditti, and Dr. John E. Venditti; a great-grandson, John B Venditti; a sister, Joyce (Don) Holland; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Sr. Pancratius Ritacca, OP.
John’s family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff at Brookside Care Center and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care they gave him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, March 7th, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 6th, at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Please omit flowers.
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: (262) 654-3533
Visit & Sign John’s Online Memorial Book at:
www.prokofuneralhome.com