It is with great sorrow that we mourn the loss of a great man and great friend, Peter M. Ricca. All of us at Anchorage Opera are incredibly grateful and humbled to have had him in our lives. One of our most dedicated champions and supporters, he was deeply loved and he will be sorely missed. Thank you and Rest in Peace, dear Peter. Holding Jan, his family & his loved ones in our thoughts, in our hearts & in our prayers at this difficult time.
Dr. Peter Mauro Ricca (Apr 23, 1936 – Feb 20, 2020)
Anchorage Daily News Obituary – Feb 25, 2020
Dr. Peter Mauro Ricca passed away on Feb. 20, 2020. Peter was born and raised in New York City. He attended Brooklyn Tech High School, graduating in 1952. Peter received his Civil Engineering Degree from Cooper Union University in 1956. Following graduation, he moved to Gainesville, Fla., to attend the University of Florida, where he obtained both his master’s degree and his doctorate degree in chemical engineering. Peter was employed by Pan American World Airways, who had a contract to provide services on their Down Range Project for the space agency. He then joined NASA and worked in the safety office until 1966. Then he moved to Seattle, Wash., to join the Boeing Company. Peter was instrumental in designing a portion of the Super Sonic Toilet. Peter left Boeing in 1975 to join the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in Anchorage, Alaska. He remained with Alyeska until his retirement in 1997. After retirement he spent one year as an Engineering Consultant.
Peter loved his cabin in Cooper Landing by the Kenai Lake, spending every weekend upgrading the surrounding area and upgrading the environment. Peter enjoyed traveling, cooking and cruising. Some of his most fond memories are his trips to Italy and Japan.
Peter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan (Jan) Blake Ricca. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Fortuna Ricca; and his only sister, Gloria Schepp. He is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews; 14 great-nieces and great-nephews; five great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and his brother-in-law, Walter Schepp.
Donations Can be made to: Anchorage Opera Company Foundation; Beans Cafe; or a charity of your choice.
Peter’s funeral is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at St. Patrick’s Church, on Muldoon Road in Anchorage. A visitation begins at 11 a.m., with a rosary at 11:20 a.m., and the funeral mass at 12 p.m. A luncheon will follow the funeral mass.
To make a gift in memory of Peter M. Ricca please send a check payable to the Anchorage Opera Foundation to:
Anchorage Opera
1507 Spar Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
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