Bill Ricca RIP

Bill's wife, Sue, contacted the club today to let us know Bill had passed.
Rest in Peace Bill.

Obituary https://www.tributearchive.com/obitu...illiam-j-ricca

William J. Ricca, 77, of New Tripoli, PA, passed away on February 7, 2023 in Topton Lutheran Home, Topton, PA. He was the husband of Suzanne T. Miller for the past 39 years. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son of the late Joseph and Evelyn (Mirto) Ricca. Bill was a decorated Vietnam War Army Veteran, having received a bronze star with valor, a purple heart, and a national defense service medal.

Bill graduated from Rutgers University, NJ, with a BA in Business Administration. He later went on to own and operate William J. Ricca Surplus Sales, specializing in military collectibles. He was a member of St. Peter’s (Lynnville) UCC Church. Bill was a past president of Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society, Easton, PA, and a former Director of Garand Collectors Association.

Survivors include his loving wife, Suzanne; brother, John (Nancy) Ricca of Gettysburg; Carol Ricca wife of Howard Low of Marlton, NJ; and many friends. There will be a memorial service held at a later date. Private interment, with military honors, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a way to honor Bill’s memory would be to spend some time talking with a veteran.

Bill's wife, Sue, contacted the club today to let us know Bill had passed.
Rest in Peace Bill.

Obituary https://www.tributearchive.com/obitu...illiam-j-ricca

William J. Ricca, 77, of New Tripoli, PA, passed away on February 7, 2023 in Topton Lutheran Home, Topton, PA. He was the husband of Suzanne T. Miller for the past 39 years. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son of the late Joseph and Evelyn (Mirto) Ricca. Bill was a decorated Vietnam War Army Veteran, having received a bronze star with valor, a purple heart, and a national defense service medal.

Bill graduated from Rutgers University, NJ, with a BA in Business Administration. He later went on to own and operate William J. Ricca Surplus Sales, specializing in military collectibles. He was a member of St. Peter’s (Lynnville) UCC Church. Bill was a past president of Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society, Easton, PA, and a former Director of Garand Collectors Association.

Survivors include his loving wife, Suzanne; brother, John (Nancy) Ricca of Gettysburg; Carol Ricca wife of Howard Low of Marlton, NJ; and many friends. There will be a memorial service held at a later date. Private interment, with military honors, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a way to honor Bill’s memory would be to spend some time talking with a veteran.

(note to admins, this is cross posted in other threads to help inform all that may not browse other sections. Move or delete if you must)

Alternative Obituary Link: https://www.tributearchive.com/obitu...r-funeral-home

Back in Nov 2009 I posted here about leading in 2 horses one evening when a trespassing hunters shot rang out just at dark. It spooked a already high strung Thoroughbred, as he turned I took a HELL of a kick to the right side of my chest.
I got 3 broken ribs out of the deal and the hunter got away. I went by ambulance to emergency while my Wife and Daughter spent nearly 3 hrs catching Big Will and his Quarter horse buddy.
I was home and posting here the next day (Gingerly) when Mr. Ricca replied:
"Painter: It is good to hear that you are OK. Being kicked near the chest by a horse can be fatal. I got kicked on the side of my right thigh during the summer, my leg went numb for 20/30 seconds and I lost control of movement. We have a Morgan we rescued and he is a nut case; probably abused over his lifetime. My friends were shooting when I foolishly tried to lead him to our pasture. Never again.

I ended up with a purple bruise the size of a dinner plate.

Again, it is good to hear you are OK."

Over the next few days the pain had set in so I hadn't been online. He had noticed and sent me a Email checking on me. Him getting kicked by the Morgan had been about 6 months earlier, he said he was still sore from it. Me getting it in the ribs and being stomped on the head while down had him worried about blood clots. I've always saved that Email. Says a lot about a man you've never met in person. Just part of the reason I've always referred to him as Mr. Ricca.

Rest In Peace Mr. Ricca and God Bless Sue

I can't get the first obit to work. 2nd I can.

Mr. Ricca should be in the Memoriam section of the Watering Hole.
I read on the CCCF he was a LRRP in Vietnam: long-range reconnaissance patrol

Bill helped me and many others so many times.
He will be missed. RIP my friend.

always a pleasure to talk to - he will be missed

Met him several times, interesting no-nonsense guy

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Originally Posted by painter777

I can't get the first obit to work. 2nd I can.

Mr. Ricca should be in the Memoriam section of the Watering Hole.
I read on the CCCF he was a LRRP in Vietnam: long-range reconnaissance patrol

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I read that also, that was something I did not know about Mr Ricca. Makes me wish I would have thanked him for his service during the few phone calls I had with him over the years. He was such a nice and knowledgeable man. One time I made what I thought was going to be a quick call to Mr Ricca asking about M8 grenade launchers and ended up being on the phone with him for 45 minutes of him teaching me about all the Chinese fake stuff there is out there and what to look for haha. He made sure I was confident before he would end the call. I learned a lot from just that one phone call that particular time. He will be missed.RIP Mr Ricca, thank you so much for your service

Sad to note his passing. As a Garand and rifle grenade collector our paths crossed many times and I was fortunate to have had many conversations over the years before his health started to deteriorate. What a great guy and wealth of knowledge. What I really liked about Bill was that he based his information on fact or personal observations and not on war stories or second/third hand hearsay. I’m glad that I was able to purchase some items over the years from his personal collection or stash. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family. RIP.

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Originally Posted by cpc

What I really liked about Bill was that he based his information on fact or personal observations

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CPC, Well said from a fellow Gander about a dozen miles East of Lansing. :clap:

Feel the same here, the way Mr Ricca would reply to a question and back it up with a copy or copies of actual contracts listing the company, part number, total number of parts per the contract and price per part/assembly or total contract cost. To include the dates of the contract (s). Everything always backed up with proof. No matter how many times the same question came up when he had time he'd reply. I'd guess he'd shown the WA hammer contract a dozen times over the years, just that I noticed. Shows how thorough he was, it's one thing to tell someone a WA hammer was a WWII era replacement hammer. It's different when you can show them a copy of the actual contract.

We should never take for granted what we've learned from his knowledge of web gear to knock offs.... etc.

I hope he enjoys where no Demills Exist and the Ammo is limitless :cheers:

Roger that....troll LOL wasn't Bill the one who found the BK oiler contract from WWII. Seems that I recall at one time most people considered them a post war item.
He surely will be missed!

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Originally Posted by painter777

CPC, Well said from a fellow Gander about a dozen miles East of Lansing. :clap:

Feel the same here, the way Mr Ricca would reply to a question and back it up with a copy or copies of actual contracts listing the company, part number, total number of parts per the contract and price per part/assembly or total contract cost. To include the dates of the contract (s). Everything always backed up with proof. No matter how many times the same question came up when he had time he'd reply. I'd guess he'd shown the WA hammer contract a dozen times over the years, just that I noticed. Shows how thorough he was, it's one thing to tell someone a WA hammer was a WWII era replacement hammer. It's different when you can show them a copy of the actual contract.

We should never take for granted what we've learned from his knowledge of web gear to knock offs.... etc.

I hope he enjoys where no Demills Exist and the Ammo is limitless :cheers:

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That is some sad news. I’ve never met him but had some informative conversations with him over the phone and purchased many things from him over the years. RIP Bill….

I never knew Bill but had a Carbine collector friend who knew Bill and didn't anything but good things to say about him. He will be missed.

I knew Mr Ricca very well had alot of dealings with him. When i started out years an years ago buying an selling parts he helped educate me on the many fakes out there. His knowledge will be miss. rest in peace my friend.