Michael Ricciardone

Michael Ricciardone, 87, of Jersey City, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Michael was born in Salerno, Italy, and emigrated to the United States by ship in 1955 with his brother Antonio and their father. Upon arriving, Michael was warmly welcomed by his loving family on Fleet Street and met his uncle Frank for the first time. He lived with them for some time. Michael immediately fell in love with Jersey City’s vibrant culture and diversity and decided to make it his permanent home, eventually relocating to downtown Jersey City.

During his early years in the United States, Michael worked at Shoe-Taylor Pipe Manufacturing Company on Claremont Avenue before realizing his true calling as a hairstylist. He often told stories of braiding his mother’s hair as a little boy. At the age of 24, Michael enrolled in cosmetology school at Wilfred Academy in 1963.

Shortly after graduating, he walked into the original Salon St. John and asked the owner for a job. The salon had only been open for two weeks, and the owner, Bill, hired him on the spot. After working for Bill for 10 years, Michael was offered the opportunity to buy the business. The rest, of course, is history.

Michael spent nearly 60 years serving his community and making his customers feel special inside and out. He would even pick up elderly customers who could not drive and bring them to the salon for their appointments. Sadly, due to illness, Michael closed the salon in the spring of 2025. Afterward, he often spoke about how much he missed the people and the conversations. His customers were like family to him.

Michael held numerous leadership roles in the community and participated in various charitable and civic programs. He volunteered with the “Look Good, Feel Better” program at Christ Hospital, providing free wigs and hairstyling services to cancer patients. He served three terms as president of the New Jersey Cosmetology Association and was a member of the Christopher Columbus Parade Committee, Casa Colombo, the Sons of Italy, the Rotary Club, and the Dante Alighieri Society, holding various positions within many of these organizations.

Michael also served on the Jersey City 9/11 Memorial Committee and was honored as “Man of the Year” by the Dante Alighieri Society in 2016. His most recent position was president of the Lincoln Association of Jersey City. Michael was also an active parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church and Holy Rosary Church. He took great pride in serving both his community and his parishes, generously giving his time in any way he could.

In his spare time, Michael enjoyed gardening, visiting family, attending church, listening to classical music, watching old movies, reading, and cooking. His favorite pastime was visiting New York City and attending the ballet at Lincoln Center and the opera at the Metropolitan Opera, where he held the same seats for almost 40 years. On many weekends, he could be found dining with friends at local Jersey City restaurants, always supporting local businesses.

Generosity and kindness were Michael’s most defining qualities, which is why he was loved by so many. A testament to his devotion to family was the way he stepped in as a father figure to his nieces and nephew after his brother Antonio passed away in 1990. He took great pride in watching them achieve important milestones and in being like a “nonno” to his great-nieces and great-nephews.

Each week, Michael welcomed different friends into his home for dinner, making cooking seem effortless. His customers remained in touch with him long after they moved away from Jersey City. On holidays, he would send plates of food to friends who were sick or alone.

Michael was the loving husband of the late John Scales; the beloved brother of the late Giovanni Ricciardone and the late Antonio Ricciardone; and the devoted brother-in-law of the late Maria Ricciardone.

Michael is survived by his treasured nieces and nephews: Tommy Ricciardone, his wife Nunzia, and their children, Marisa and Teri; Gaetano Ricciardone, his wife Meghan, and their son, Joseph; Giuseppina Pagnotta, her husband Joseph, and their children, Amber Anthony, and Michael; and Giovanna Ricciardone Shannon, her husband Sean, and their children, Alyssa and Gabriella.

He is also survived by many loving cousins who were like siblings to him.

Michael always put others first and leaves a lasting legacy through the positive impact he made on his family, his many loving friends, and his community.

Special thanks are extended to all of Michael’s friends who showed him their love and support in any capacity. Extra special thanks to Marie, Ron, Nick, Phil, John, and Diane.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306.

For GPS, please use the main parking lot address, 14 Stagg St., Jersey City. Additional parking is available in the lot on Kennedy Boulevard.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary Church, 344 Sixth Street, Jersey City (The Funeral Mass will be Live Streamed. See link below in the Services section). Entombment will take place at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by check payable to Saint Peter’s University. Please write “Chapel Renovation Fund (Michael Ricciardone)” on the memo line and mail the check to Fr. Rocco Danzi, S.J., 50 Glenwood Ave., Apt. 604, Jersey City, NJ 07306. Donations may also be made to a charity of your choice.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”