Rosario P. “Sarooch” Ricciardi, 97, lifelong resident of Milford, NH died on August 28,, 2017 at Crestwood Healthcare Center, Milford, NH.

Sarooch was born in Milford on October 23, 1919, a son of Joseph and Concetta (Granata) Ricciardi.

He attended Milford schools. He was employed by Abbott Machine Company, Wilton, NH at the time of his enlistment in the U.S. Army. Sarooch served in the Pacific Theatre and saw action in New Guinea and was in the Battle of Luzon. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on January 1, 1946.

He worked for Bellevance Beverage, Nashua, NH for 20 years. He was very active in the community having served as a Selectman for the Town of Milford for 21 years, served on the Budget committee and volunteered at the polls during Town, State and Federal elections. He was a member and Past Commander of the Ricciardi Hartshorn Post #23, American Legion, Milford, a member of Harley Sanford Post #4368, VFW, the Milford Historical Society, East Milford Improvement Society, National Youth Administration, Conservation Corp Camp, Danbury, NH, coordinator for the annual Labor Day carnival, served as Chairman of the Bicentennial Parade Committee in 1994 and was instrumental in the establishment of the World War II and Korean War Memorials. In addition, he was an avid card player and enjoyed his trips to the casinos and playing blackjack. In his younger years, he coached Little League.

Sarooch was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Milford.

He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Clark) Ricciardi, who died in 1993.

Family members include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Glenn Ricciardi of Milford, Ricky and Karen Ricciardi of Manchester, NH; two daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Arthur Staiti, Linda and Joseph McEntee, all of Milford; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles “Tino” and Winifred “Penny” Ricciardi of Sebring, FL; sisters-in-law, Jackie Hackett of Burke Hollow, VT and Alice Hendrickson of Lakeland, FL; brothers-in-law, David Clark of Lyndonville, VT, Richard Clark and his wife, Margaret of Epsom, NH; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are on Wednesday, August 30th from 4:00-7:00pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00am in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford. Burial with military honors will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.