Obituary of Richard L. Auricchio

Richard L. Auricchio, 51, of Oakland Avenue, passed away suddenly Sunday morning at St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Amsterdam on April 14, 1957, he was the son of Pat and Theresa Mirabito Auricchio. Rich was a 1975 graduate of Wilbur Lynch High School. He attended Fulton Montgomery Community College and later graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh receiving his B.S in marketing. While in high school, he played soccer but his passion in later years was softball. He played for various local teams including Sky Harbor, Sieverts, Knotty Pine House, Liber's Blue and most recently Post 701. Rich was also an avid dart shooter in the City Dart League. Rich's children were his life, and he could always be found coaching them with their various sporting involvements. He was employed for twenty five years by the Grand Union Co. and later was the owner of the A-Team Enterprises food distributorship for the past seven years. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Rich's loving family will always recall his deep love for them and amazing sense of humor that he shared with everyone. On April 30, 1983, he was united in marriage to the former Karen J. Kowalski; In addition to his wife, he leaves his children; Daniel and Amanda Auricchio of Amsterdam; his parents; Pat and Theresa Auricchio; brother, Michael Michele Auricchio and nieces Maureen and Kelly, all of Amsterdam; his aunt; Sr. Anne Michael CSJ of Latham; uncle Peter Mirabito of Scottsdale, Az. And the late Barney Mirabito; father and mother in law Bob and Corrine Kowalski of Amsterdam; as well as brothers in law Rob Kowalski of Napa, Ca.; Andy Stacey Kowalski and nephew Andrew of Commack, Long Island, NY. He also left behind his trusted companion and best friend "Chuck". A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Church East Main Street. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday from 4-8pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. Interment is in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Montgomery Co. SPAC, appropriately because of Rich's love for animals, in care of the funeral home office.