Obituary of Michael J. Riscica

NEW HARTFORD - Mr. Michael J. Riscica, age 72, of New Hartford, left this world on September 14, 2018, in Virginia, in the way he would have wanted to: on an adventure with his partner in crime, life and love; after valiantly battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for six years. Michael took the devastating diagnosis in stride, never letting it slow him down, and never, ever complaining.

Michael was born on July 16, 1946, in Ilion, New York, the son of Joseph, Sr., and Mary (Giambrone) Riscica. After graduating from Frankfort-Schuyler High School in 1965, Michael attended MVCC, and became a local businessman. He owned Formsco Business Forms & Printing, and took great joy in providing wedding invitations and other happy announcements for clients and friends, as they embarked on different milestones in their lives.  Michael also worked at MDS (Mohawk Data Sciences), in Herkimer County, and Divine Brothers, in Utica. Later in life, Michael was happy and honored to take on the role of working in the education field, driving bus for the New Hartford School District. This kept him young.

Michael was a strong supporter of his family in every way, devoting his life to his four children. He coached and was president of the Sons of Italy youth baseball league in 1970s. He was assistant coach for the St. Francis de Sales youth basketball team in the 1980s, helping Marty Nemecek take the team to the State Finals tournament, in Albany. Michael was past president of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, in Deerfield, and enjoyed spending time and fulfilling his duties there in the 1980s. Michael took great joy in helping young athletes hone their skills, and in teaching them good sportsmanship. He was a loyal, vocal, spectator at all of his children’s games. Michael was his children’s rock, always there to help them shoulder any sorrows, share any joys and offer sage life advice, which they will greatly miss.

In 1998, Michael met his fiance, Regina Piazza Winkler. The two shared many adventures, never leaving one another’s side over the twenty years that they were together. The two squeezed a lifetime of love into those 20 years, traveling to beautiful places together, dining with friends, and just spending time together, and with their fur-baby, Miniature Pinscher, “Dixie”. Regina, along with Michael’s daughter, Nicole, were at his side when he passed from this life.

Michael was a wealth of stories and jokes, and had the special gift of leaving all those that he met, laughing. His absence from this earthly life leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of his children and fiance, but his many gifts, life lessons and larger-than-life personality, will surely help fill that void. His love and lessons remain, never to be diminished.

Michael is survived by his sons, Joseph Riscica, of Marcy, Michael Riscica, of Atlanta, and Dean Riscica, of Marcy; his daughter, Nicole Riscica, and wife, Leigh, of Laguna Beach, California; his beloved grandchildren, Brooke Riscica, of Deerfield, and Harper Riscica, of California; and his beloved fiance, Regina Winkler of New Hartford.  Also left to mourn Michael is his fiance’s son, Michael Winkler, and his fiance, Dr. Sarah Conte, with whom he was very close; his sister-in-law, with whom he shared a special bond, Teresa Riscica of Frankfort; his aunt, Josephine Chauvin of Frankfort; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Michael was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Sr. and Mary Riscica, an older brother, Michael, who passed at birth, and his sister, Joann Riscica. He was also devastated by the recent death of his younger brother, Joseph Riscica, of Frankfort, just one month ago.

Family and friends are invited to say a final goodbye to Michael during calling hours on Wednesday evening, September 19, 2018 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Michael’s funeral service will commence on Thursday morning, September 20, 2018 at 10:30AM at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church in Frankfort, where his Funeral Mass will be offered by his nephew, Rev. Francis Vivacqua.  

Michael did not want your tears; he wanted your laughter. Michael never prayed for himself or his needs; only others. So now, we ask your prayers for his soul. Mass cards are welcome and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Michael’s final wishes were pre-arranged and entrusted to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors.

“No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever”- Francois Mauriac.