Paul Aniello Riccucci

Paul Aniello Riccucci, 83, of Torrington, died Sunday, October 18, 2015, at Valerie Manor after struggling with the long-term effects of Alzheimer’s. He was the husband of Carol Graziani Riccucci for twenty-nine years. He was born on January 7, 1932, in Torrington to Nello Riccucci and Angelina Givanni Riccucci.

Paul was a 1949 graduate of Torrington High School. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

After being honorably discharged, he used the GI Bill to further his education. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA Degree in English. While at UConn, he was a University Scholar and graduated as Phi Beta Kappa, a national honor society. Paul taught at Worcester junior College, Boston University, UConn, and was one of the first Associate Professors at Mattatuck (Naugatuck Valley Community College) where he taught for thirty years. He taught English Composition and English Literature as well as a Music Appreciation Through Jazz course.

Paul was a musician who played cornet, trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone, and piano. He performed with many jazzmen including: Teddy Wilson, Bobby Hacket, Gene Krupa, Wild Bill Davison, Ray McKinley, Eddie Condon, and many other special performers. Besides leading his own bands, including the Laidlaw Riccucci Jazz Group which performed at the Stockbridge Inn for ten years, he performed with the “Riverboat Five” band in Atlanta, GA, Gene Mayl’s “Dixieland Rhythm Kings” and worked eight years for Red Balaban who owned “Eddie Condon’s III Club" in New York.  Paul also performed with the “Bourbon Street Seven” which appeared at the Barside Restaurant in Woodbury and the Harrison Inn at Heritage Village. He played at Phil Becker’s well-known restaurant and jazz club in Waterbury. On Bantam Lake, he played and led the band at “Beverly’s Roaring Twenties.” Paul also played with drummer Gary Burghoff, “Radar,” of MASH at Anthony’s Carriage House in New London and the Tributary in Winsted.  More recently he played at Skipper’s Dock in Stonington, and Poor Henry’s in New Milford.  Paul played at various arts festivals and Torrington’s St. Jude Telethon.  He was a longtime member of the American Federation of Musicians in Torrington and Hartford.

Paul enjoyed cooking and eating gourmet food, swimming in his pool, watching classic movies, and his pet beagle, “Joe Joe” in addition to his kindness and love for all animals. He especially enjoyed going to Cape Cod and the Maine beaches.

Paul is survived by his wife, Carol, his daughter, Lani Celadon, his son, David Riccucci, and his daughter, Diana Clark;  his grandchildren, Desiree` Pinto, Timothy Riccucci, Garrett Celadon, Anthony Riccucci, Arielle Celadon, Justin Clark, Angela Clark, and Maegan Clark and his great granddaughter, Leila Riccucci. He was predeceased by a son, Bradford Riccucci.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2015, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St. Torrington, to St. Peter Church, 107 East Main St. Torrington, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Francis New Cemetery, Torrington.   Relatives and friends may call on Thursday morning, October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Cook Funeral Home, prior to the Mass.

Contributions in Paul’s name may be sent to the Little Guild of St. Francis, 285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06796 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter, 200 Executive Boulevard, Southington, CT 06489-1058. Condolences to the Riccucci Family may be sent to www.cookfuneralhomect.com.