Principio “Sonny” Riviccio

A much-loved husband, father and grandfather, Principio “Sonny” Riviccio, 84, of Riverhead, Long Island, passed away peacefully March 18 at his home with his family present.

Principio was born Feb. 17, 1928, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was one of five children born to Gelsomine and Donato Riviccio and was the beloved husband of Dolly Riviccio for 61 years.

He is survived by his sisters Terry Latriano and Frances Masia and was predeceased by his sisters Mary Pensabene and Susan Gulino. Principio will be forever remembered by his devoted and loving children: his daughters, Michele DeRosso and husband Brian, Gina Duggan and husband Joe, Lisa Kling and husband John, and Leslie Hazel and husband Dan; his son, Gerard Riviccio and wife Jackie; his treasured grandchildren Danielle, Gabrielle, Christopher, Brian, Kyle, Nicky, Cory, Lisamarie, Maya, Alyssa, Sonny and Russell; and countless other family and friends who were blessed to know him.

Principio loved spending time with his children and grandchildren at family gatherings, which were quite frequent. He touched the lives of many people throughout his years doing volunteer work at First Congregational Church of Riverhead’s Bread & More soup kitchen and Riverhead Care Center, and as an usher at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

Spiritually, Principio touched the lives of many people with his great faith in his love and devotion to Jesus and the Blessed Mother. To quote Father Larry, pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish, “Your father wasn’t at church any specific time; he was at church all the time.”

Friends and family are invited to attend the wake service at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead on Wednesday, March 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, March 22, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead.

This is a paid notice.