Mario N. Ritacco

Mario N. Ritacco, 68, of Sutton, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Mario is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Congetta “Connie” Ritacco; a son Giuseppe “Joe” Ritacco of Boston; two daughters, Antonella Montiverdi and her husband Ryan of Sutton and Adriana Brigham and her husband Cameron of Worcester; two grandchildren, Analisa Montiverdi and Lucantonio Brigham; three brothers, Gianfranco Ritacco of Worcester, Antonio Ritacco and Angelo Ritacco, both in Italy; four sisters, Annunziata Ritacco, Franca Ritacco, Anna Ritacco, and Ida Ritacco, all in Italy; many nieces, nephews, and friends.  He was predeceased by a brother, Vincenzo Ritacco.  Mario was born in Acri, Concenza, Italy, son of Giuseppe and Mariantonia (Zanfino) Ritacco.

Mario grew up in Italy and served in the Italian Military, where he traveled Europe and got the opportunity to meet other nationalities.  He would then meet Connie, and he knew that she was “the one”.  Together they decided to move to the United States to pursue the “American Dream”.  Upon settling in the Worcester area, where they received support and guidance from other family members who moved before them, they married in January 1978, and began building their life and a beautiful family.  

Mario worked hard to support his family; he worked construction, built homes and was a member of the Laborers Union, Local 243, but the labor of love that brought him the greatest joy was that of restauranteur.  He was the founder of the Calabria Club on Franklin Street in Worcester, before moving to Shrewsbury Street, where he opened The Calabria Restaurant.  After many years of success on Shrewsbury Street, and his family moving to Sutton, the Calabria Restaurant opened in Millbury Center, where he was the consummate host and is still a favorite restaurant for so many.  His most recent foray in the restaurant business was the recent opening of “1885” on Green Street in Worcester, that he opened with his son in law, Cam and two close friends.

Mario loved to be with family and their circle of friends, he enjoyed sharing his homemade wine and sopressata, especially during Christmas Eve.  Mario was a great example of how hard work and dedication leads to success.  He and Connie truly lived the “American Dream” and shared their successes with so many.  

Calling Hours will be on Tuesday, April 30, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral will be on Wednesday, departing the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. in procession to a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Saint Bernard’s Church, Our Lady of Providence, 228 Lincoln Street, Worcester, where his family friend, Fr. Jonathan J. Slavinskas will officiate.  Interment will follow at New Howard Cemetery, Sutton.