Obituary of Rudolph L. Riccio

Rudolph (“Rudy”) L. Riccio, 97, formerly of Manchester, Connecticut, the widower of Eileen C. Riccio, died on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He was born in New York, New York on June 29, 1922, the son of Gaetano and Italia Riccio. He was predeceased by his siblings, Alfred, Guy and Pauline.  

Rudy was a graduate of St. John’s University and the University of Hartford. He was employed for over 30 years as a Project Engineer at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford. Prior to that, he was a New York City Firefighter in Jackson Heights, Queens.  

Rudy was a combat veteran of World War II serving in the Fifth Air Force, 22^nd Bomb Group, 408^th Squadron, as a B-24 pilot. He flew 47 combat missions in the Pacific Theater. During one mission on April 14, 1945 over Tainan Airdrome, Formosa, the Liberator he piloted was struck by Japanese flak and badly damaged.  One of the jagged pieces of metal struck his headrest, missing him by inches. Two of the bomber’s four engines were disabled, as well as the hydraulic system, leaving the plane with little control and no brakes. Approaching Clark Field in the Philippines after hours of flying, Rudy decided to try to land the plane but gave his crew the option to bailout over the Field. No one did, trusting his skill as a pilot. Unable to stop his plane after it landed, Rudy managed to safely crash in a ditch next to the runway, saving not only his own life but those of the other 9 crew members of the bomber. These heroics by Rudy were never formally recognized by the Army Air Corp. Just two days later, Rudy was on another bombing mission over Formosa.

Rudy remained in the military after World War II, initially flying C-119 Boxcars out of Mitchell Field in Hempstead, Long Island. He served in the Air Force Reserve in various capacities for 39 years retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1982.

Rudy was an original parishioner of St. Bartholomew Church in Manchester. He is survived by his sons, Attorney Eugene Riccio and his wife, Leslie of Southport, Connecticut, Dr. Michael Riccio and his wife, Cathy of Ipswich, Massachusetts and Dr. John Riccio of Littleton, Colorado and his grandchildren, Courtney Morales and her husband Jonathan, John, Erin, Elise, Anna Lee and Julianna.  

Due to the current medical emergency, funeral services will be private. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date at St. Bartholomew Church in Manchester.