Riccardo Angelo Cazzaniga

Riccardo Cazzaniga, 90, formerly of Scarsdale, NY, husband of Silvia (Beretta) Cazzaniga, died on Monday, December 12, 2022, in Worcester, MA.

Riccardo was born on March 8, 1932 to Luigi and Antonia (Arbizzoni) Cazzaniga in Monza, Italy. He attended the Istituto Tecnico di Milano where received an Associate’s Degree in electrical engineering. On February 19th, 1962 he married Silvia Beretta of Brugherio, Italy. The two would have celebrated 61 years of marriage this coming February.

Riccardo started his career with ENI, the Italian energy company, when he made the unusual move to relocate to Rome at age 20. Over the years he worked for various divisions within the company, with assignments that took him to all parts of the world, including living several years in Basingstoke, UK, and eventually landing him in New York City, where he retired in 1998 in the role of VP of Purchasing with AGIP USA.

In his younger years, Riccardo was very much involved with the Oratorio Artigianelli in Monza, a catholic youth group where he made friends for life, and even influenced a younger generation as they hiked across many an alpine pass in Italy and Switzerland. His real passion though was cycling, with his famous Legnano bicycle carrying him all over Europe. His travels soon expanded to well outside the continent, with trips to Egypt, Jamaica, Peru, and once retired, even several trips to Easter Island and Russia. With his travels he always tried to connect with the people he met - it seemed that he knew at least a few phrases in almost any language, and would entertain anyone willing to listen with stories of the many restaurants and meals he enjoyed over the years. He was an avid reader, with a book collection to rival libraries. However, his greatest joy was found in being an adoring grandfather to his 11 grandchildren.

Riccardo was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Carla Aliprandi. He is survived by his wife, Silvia, and his 3 children – Luigi Cazzaniga of Bethel, CT, and wife, Ellen; Stefano Cazzaniga of Grapevine, TX, and wife, Claudia; Alessandra Soares, of Worcester, MA, and husband David. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren – Adriano, Nicolas, Gianpaolo, Corinna, Luca, Pia Luisa, Lorenzo, Mariano, Teresa, Sebastian, and Alessandro.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Loreto Church in Worcester, MA, at 10am, on Saturday, December 17, 2022, preceded by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 9:30am.