Joseph “Joe” Ricciardi of Everett, a boxing trainer who spent much of his life at Broadway Boxing coaching young fighters, some of whom went on to world titles, died unexpectedly on September 26. He was 64. His funeral Mass will be Monday, October 5, at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere.
He grew up in East Boston and later lived in Everett. Through Broadway Boxing he trained and mentored generations of young people, and his family said he cared most about the discipline, confidence and sense of purpose the sport gave them, and took great pride in the fighters he developed. His family remembered him as tough on the outside and more caring than he let on, and said his most important role was raising his two children, Sophia and Giuseppi Ricciardi, both of Everett.
He was the son of Dolores Ricciardi, who lives in Medford, and the late Joseph Ricciardi. Two of his siblings, Mario and Gina Ricciardi, also live in Medford. His other siblings are Julie Woodside of Winthrop, with her husband, Kevin; Johnny Ricciardi of Saugus, with Jacqueline Solier; and Rhonda Montanaro of Hagaman, New York, with her husband, Frank. Eleanor Elias, the mother of his children and his partner of many years, died before him.
Visiting hours are Sunday, October 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home in East Boston. Mourners will meet there again Monday at 8:30 a.m. and go in procession to St. Anthony’s in Revere, where the funeral Mass begins at 10. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. The family has set up an online fund to help with funeral expenses.
Compiled from information published by Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, East Boston. Photograph courtesy of the family via Ruggiero Family Memorial Home. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.