José Hernán Rico

85, of Cranston, passed into peace after bravely battling a long illness on Sunday, February 4, 2018.  He was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia, the youngest of 9 children. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carmen Rosa Rico Saavedra, and his seven children, Maria Eugenia Rico and her husband, Donald Bush, Nelson Gonzalo Rico, José Rico and his wife Tawny (nee Mars) Rico, Catalina Rico and her husband, Breck Diebel, Javier Rico and his wife, Patricia Gibb, Monica (nee Rico) Trust and her husband Michael Blair, and Jorge Rico, as well as a loving, extended clan of 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Mr. Rico is also survived by one sister, Alicia Rico de Bravo and her husband, Aldo Bravo, and a vast extended family and network of friends and admirers in Bolivia. Mr. Rico retired as a teacher of history at Hope High School, in the Providence School Department, where his passion ignited the learning for his students, so much so that he was named Teacher of the Year.

While in Bolivia, he was a celebrated goalkeeper for the Bolivian national team and most notably Club Wilsterman, where he had an illustrious career until 1961. In 1967, he immigrated to the United States and in 1968 he was reunified with his wife and children in Providence, RI. He continued to play and coach soccer while in R.I. and was inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame. Mr. Rico was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and loyal and life-long friend.  He was eternally optimistic, audacious, generous and single-minded in his pursuits. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched and inspired but his tremendous spirit and love of life and family will live on in our hearts forever.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 11:00 a.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 176 Dexter Street, Providence, on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS Thursday 4-8 p.m. in the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory,1278 Park Avenue, Cranston.

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