Obituary of Richard S. Nicosia

Richard Santo Nicosia, 45 of Upper Deerfield Township passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 24, at his home. Born in Vineland, he was the son of Joseph D. Nicosia and the late Irene Haney Nicosia and was a lifetime Upper Deerfield Township resident. Richard was a Spinto Tenor by profession. He was the owner and operator of RN'J Grilling and had been a cook at various restaurants. He loved singing "Happy Birthday" to unsuspecting celebrants in the restaurants where he worked in New Jersey and Delaware. Richard was an avid Philadelphia sports fan and never met a stranger. He deeply loved his children, family and pets. He was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity and the Zeta Alpha Chapter at Rowan University along with being a member of the Cumberlads and Opera Seabrook locally. He also cantored at synagogues throughout South Jersey. He is survived by his children, Elijah Santo Nicosia and Amelia Rose Nicosia; his father, Joseph D. Nicosia and his stepmother, Tina Bidic-Nicosia of Upper Deerfield Township; his two sisters, Gayle I. Haney of Thorndale, PA and Deanna Jo Nicosia-Jones (Steven G.) of Clayton; nieces, Finley Brooke and London Jo Nicosia Jones; his two "brothers" Spencer Lau and Matt Jordan and his new step family including Paul Bidic, Sean Bidic and Nicholas Bidic. He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Irene and was his grandfather’s namesake. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 3rd at 11:00 AM at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Township. A visitation will take place on Sunday evening, October 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and on Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Friendship Finley Methodist Cemetery in Upper Deerfield Township. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions in Richard's memory be made to either the Upper Deerfield Township Schools Music Program - Pre K - 8, 1385 Hwy 77, Seabrook, NJ 08302 or to the American Heart Association at Heart.org.