A Story of Resilience and Living Life to the Fullest.
Robert Michael "Bob" Ritacco - 89, Truro, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 3, 2025. Born in 1936 in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, he was the son of Angelo J. "Lindy" Ritacco and Sophie M. (Piontek) Ritacco.
Bob was a talented athlete from an early age who excelled in baseball. He held numerous Rhode Island schoolboy and collegiate baseball records. He was scouted as one of the top three draft picks in the U.S. and expected to sign with a marquee team. He was a switch-hitting pitcher whose career included time in the Milwaukee Braves minor league system in McCook, Nebraska.
He came to Truro in the spring of 1956 as a pitcher for the Truro Bearcats, a strong semi-professional team in the Halifax & District Baseball League, which was regarded as one of the most competitive in Eastern North America. The team played at Truro Amateur Athletic Club (TAAC), now known as Ritacco Field.
It was in Truro that he met Patricia Kaye Smith, whom he married on June 13, 1959. Together they built a life in Truro, raising three children and sharing more than forty years of marriage.
Following a career-ending injury and graduation from Providence College, Bob attended business school at University of New Brunswick before joining the family company, Electrical Distributors Limited, in Truro. He successfully guided the business for many years, growing it steadily as he navigated the changing consumer distribution landscape. Notably, he consolidated ownership entirely within the family, secured key distribution agreements with Panasonic (1960s), Samsung, and LG (1980s), and supported the national brand expansions into chains such as Sears and Future Shop. His early success with Clairtone in the 1960s attracted the attention of Industrial Estates Limited, which later approached him to consider leading the expansion of Leon’s in Atlantic Canada.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman, happiest when hunting or fishing. When not hunting or fishing, he also enjoyed working around the house and gardens and time with friends and family. Even after a stroke in 2010, he met each day with purpose and an unwavering will to live his life.
He is survived by his children: Robert P. Ritacco (Valerie Patterson), and their children, Michael, Patrick, Emma, and Matthew; Linda K. MacQuarrie (Charles MacQuarrie) and their son, Matthew; David M. Ritacco (Federica Belluccini). He also leaves behind his brother, Richard J. Ritacco, Kissimmee, Florida; sister-in-law, Carolyn Emanuel, Truro; nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Patricia (d. 2007); parents, Angelo (d. 1994) and Sophie (d. 2007); granddaughter, Rachel (d. 2025); several extended family members in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
A Memorial Mass in celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 669 Prince Street, Truro, Father Jim O’Connor officiating. Reception will follow in Campbell Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Colchester East Hants Health Foundation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Tributes, words of comfort and memories may be shared at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
