Former DSJ Football Coach, Bill Ricco, Dies at 77

Bill Ricco died Thursday in Akron after a short illness.  Ricco was head coach at St. John's from 1958-1960, compiling a record of 11-16 in his three seasons.

Click here for a memorial page from Walsh Jesuit High School.

                                      Bill Ricco (Basilio William Ricco) of Akron passed away on August 27, 2009 at Akron General Medical Center, after a courageous battle with several illnesses.

Mr. Ricco was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from John Adams High School, on the city's east side. After a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he enrolled at the University of Dayton, where he would meet his future wife, Carolyn. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Dayton in June of 1958. He also completed a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Akron.

Bill was a loving and devoted husband to his late wife, Carolyn, unselfishly caring for her and by her side during her long battle with multiple sclerosis for several years. A loving father to his three biological children, he was also a father figure, friend, mentor, and counselor to many others.

During his educational career, he served as a successful teacher, football coach, and administrator. He worked at Delphos St. John's High School (1958-61), Cleveland St. Ignatius High School (1961-65), and Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit High School (1965-present). At the latter, he became the school's pioneering athletic director and head football coach, when it opened in 1965. Under Bill's direction, Walsh quickly became an area football power in the late 1960's and 1970's. His 1970, 1972, and 1976 teams were all undefeated, and the 1976 team did not allow a touchdown the entire season. He received many accolades in the coaching profession. Among them were the Summit County Coach of the Year in 1970 and the Ohio High School Coach of the Year in 1976. In 1977 he was selected to coach the North All-Star team in the annual Ohio North-South All Star Football Game, a game his team won 14-0. He is also a member of the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame.

During the latter part of Bill's career, he served as Assistant Principal at Walsh Jesuit from 1980-1988. He became Principal in 1988-1996, guiding the school's successful transition from an all male enrollment to co-educational in 1993. From fall of 1996 to present, he assisted in the counseling and alumni departments of the school.

Among several awards bestowed upon Mr. Ricco, some include both the University of Dayton's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1977, and it's Christian Service Award in 2006. Another was the 1997 Cleveland Diocese Educator of the Year.

Mr. Ricco touched and impacted many lives during his career which began in 1958.

He would go beyond the call of duty to assist his students. His extraordinary dedication to his students and high school resulted in his receiving the Manresa Award-Walsh Jesuit's highest honor, in 2006.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Angela and Joseph Ricco; his wife, Carolyn, who died in 1990; sisters, Teresa and Maria; mother and father-in-law, Loretta and Emil D'Elia, and brother-in-law Christopher D'Elia. He is survived by his son, Robert of Tempe, Arizona; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Marty Stratton of Akron; daughter, Lisa of Cuyahoga Falls; brothers, Joseph (Mary) Ricco of North Royalton, Sam (Jeanette) Ricco of Kent, and Robert (Susan) Ricco of Cleveland; sister-in-law, Joan (Richard) Walley of Cincinnati; brothers-in-law, Anthony (Pam) D'Elia of Gahanna, Mark D'Elia of Amherst, Mass., and Michael (Pam) D'Dlia of Akron; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff, nurses, and doctors at Akron General Medical Center and Autumnwood Nursing and Rehabilitation for all their help and care, during Bill's stay there. In addition, the family extends sincere gratitude to all of the many who called, visited, sent well wishes and emails, cards, and pictures to Mr. Ricco over the past few months to help lift his spirit and provide encouragement.

The family will receive friends at the Walsh Jesuit High School Chapel at 4550 Wyoga Lake Road, Cuyahoga Falls, on Tuesday September 1st., from 12 to 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at Walsh Jesuit High School's Ricco Fieldhouse at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd. Burial will follow immediately at the Northlawn Memorial Gardens on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Bill Ricco Scholarship Fund c/o Walsh Jesuit High School High School, 4550 Wyoga Lake Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224-1059.