Mayor Derek Armstead and Linden City Council regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Mark Ritacco, the City’s Construction Code Official and Zoning Board Officer. Mark died on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at his home. Mark Ritacco was a loving and passionate man and will live on in the hearts of those who know him.
Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 3pm until 6:30pm. A funeral service will follow at 6:30pm. The cremation will be held privately.
Mark was a lifelong resident of Nutley before moving to Manahawkin in 1995. Mark graduated from Nutley High School, class of 1979, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1983. He was the owner of Mark Ritacco Plumbing & Heating for the past 20 years.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years Susan (nee Bunk) Ritacco; his devoted children Frank Ritacco and his wife Elizabeth, Gina Sicilia and her husband Joseph, and Juli Ritacco. Mark was recently made a grandfather to his cherished granddaughter Marina Jane Ritacco.
In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his loving siblings Joy Maschi and her husband Augie, Deborah Petrillo, and Frank Ritacco. Mark is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews. Mark is predeceased by his parents Frank and Joyce (nee Cofone) Ritacco and his brother James DiRuggiero.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105-9959.