Just got this email from OUCH Italia and have used one of those online translators.  I'm sure you get the gist of the sadness though...   

Today it is reached on the forum a news that we would not have never intentional to have to you to communicate but unfortunately our Riccardo has left us, perlomeno for this life terrena.
To hard work we find the words, but we believe that words to say us are not any. .è and rimarra always part of our association that it has strongly intentional and of has been one of the main founders.
The Staff di Grappolaiuto.it.

(the original text in Italian for those of you that can read it).

Oggi è giunta sul forum una notizia che non avremmo mai voluto dovervi comunicare ma purtroppo il nostro Riccardo ci ha lasciato, perlomeno per questa vita terrena.
A fatica troviamo le parole , ma crediamo che parole da dire non ce ne siano..è e rimarra sempre parte della nostra associazione che ha fortemente voluto e ne è stato uno dei principali fondatori.

Lo Staff di Grappolaiuto.it.

Quote:

Thank you Jonny.  I am so glad there is some movie to see his warm, happy and sweet face again.  It helps, if only a little.

I am so sorry to hear the sad news Zaira.

My condolences to his family and friends

Although I never met him I have spoken to him on several occasions and he was a delightful man.  He will be missed by many.

Some how the sadness of today just keeps compounding.

-P.

When I think of Riccardo, I smile.  He would always send "kisses across the miles".....a  kissing bandit.

The news of his death will hurt for a long time. 

We have lost a good friend but we all now have one heck of a guardian angel named Riccardo.

Ciao, Riccardo.  We miss you.

How very sad.  Condolences to his friends and family.


Carol

stunned at this sad news.  I remember him at the OUCH UK conference in 2003 and my abiding memory of Riccardo is his flamboyant taste in braces (suspenders) and hats.  He was a lovely man and will be much missed in the worldwide OUCH community.

Zaira, you must be bereft, he was very special to you I know.   

Ciaio Riccardo.

Val. 

This is very sad news indeed. 

I remember when I first came here and was having a very hard time. One night the phone rang and I could not understand much of who was on the other line and had no idea who it was. It turns out it was Riccardo and we talked for quite a long time.

I might not have understand everything that he said but I could feel the love and care that he had and it meant the world to me that he called.

It is a very sad day that he has passed, I have thought of him often and will continue to do so. My heart goes out to everyone who was touched by this great man - we are all blessed that we talked to you or even met him.

Jill

I did not know Ricardo at all. After reading everyone's posts I can tell he was a very gentel wonderful person that meant very much to you. My condolences to the cluster family in the loss of your friend.

Charlotte

I am truely saddened.

I remember the 1st convention in Las Vegas.  Walking through the lobby our eyes met and there were instant smiles of recognition although we had never met.  My first hug from the big fella.

Those boys on the driving range were spoiling for a fight.  We really should have taught the Italian bunch about the use of "fore".

God bless you my friend.

THis is very sad news - Riccardo was such a sweet, kind man.  I remember his posts about his travels to and from Las Vegas, Atlanta and Vancouver - they were hilarious - he certainly had a way with words - even in English!  He will certainly be missed.