Obituary of Richard Gallucci

Richard ‘Rit’ Gallucci, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, community member, neighbor, and friend to many died unexpectedly at the age of 76 on Monday, September 14, 2026, at his home in Ithaca, NY.

Rit was born in Schenectady, NY on March 30, 1950.

He attended Schalmont High School (NY) (Class of 1967) where he starred on the basketball and football teams. Rit went on to study at Union College (Class of 1971), where again, he was a standout on the Dutchman’s football and basketball teams, and served as co-captain of both.

Rit’s professional career spanned nearly 4 decades in New York State’s Office for Children and Family Services (OCFS). Not one to rest, after retirement from the state, Rit continued his service to youth through working at the Ithaca Youth Bureau and at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School in the Ithaca City School District.

Rit was predeceased by his parents Guido “Guy” and Domenica “Minnie” (Rocchio) Gallucci; and leaves behind his devoted wife and best friend Jardine “Jeri” (Cargill) Gallucci. He is also survived by his sister Denise Califano (Bruce); his daughter Nicole Eversley Bradwell and her husband Sean Eversley Bradwell, and his two sons, Anthony Gallucci (Elisha) and Gabriel Gallucci (Erika Cartagena). In addition, Rit leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Adriane Teabout, Kaya Gallucci, Imani Gallucci, Anais Gallucci, Elijah Gallucci, Tiago Cartagena Gallucci, Hayden Stewart, Adeline Blue; and beloved family, Dimitra (Ken) Dales, Tierra Labrada, Leon Holden, the Bradwell family; great grandchild, Amari Morrone; niece Amanda (Mathew) Whittaker, nephews Tyrell Foster and Michael (Kasey) Califano; and a large extended network of nieces, nephews, cousins, and chosen family.

Rit and Jeri believed in the power of family and lived this value daily by creating strong bonds with those they loved. They were active foster parents, and hosted international students from Japan, Brazil, and gained a special French son in Joann Perrier. Rit loved his family, his community, good food, and dogs. He loved his dogs. In fact, he loved anyone’s dog. He was known to stop and greet every pup in town.

Rit was also known for his larger-than-life presence and even larger than life personality. His quick wit and humor would take over a room. Whether you knew him as Rit, Dad, Pop, Zebo, Mr. Rit, or Grandpa Pocket, you knew a person whose warmth, laughter, and generous spirit left a lasting impression. Together, Rit and Jeri believed that family is not only who we are born to, but who we choose to embrace. Through his kindness, humor, storytelling, and joyful spirit, he built connections wherever he went and left behind a community of people who were better for having known him. As many have said, he will be deeply missed, but the laughter, love, and memories will last forever.

It gives the family much peace to know that as Rit transitioned, he was with his beloved dogs, taking a sunbath in the backyard.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Robin Fund at GIAC, a fund that provides emergency assistance to individuals and families in the greater Ithaca community.

Donations may be made in the following ways:

Online:

Via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=92JYDSVHFGGML

By Mail:

Robin Fund-GIAC

310 1st Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

A gathering to celebrate Rit’s life will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 2pm – 4pm at the Southside Community Center in Ithaca, NY.