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Danielle Riggi posted a condolence
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Thank you all so very much for such an incredible outpouring of love and wonderful memories of my father. It sounds like he had such a nice influence on all who have written on here. He was the best father I could have ever been blessed with. I am trying to heal, but it is so hard. It all came as such a shock because he was a healthy man, and I felt that he still had many great years ahead of him. I have learned so much from him and will keep all of the memories that we shared deep within my heart. I am glad that he has also touched each if you in a special way too.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Danielle Riggi
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Pat Reilly posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
This is such a great photo of Rick. I just learned the sad news this morning and want to send my sincere condolences to his family. Like a lot of those who have left remembrances, I have been a customer and friend of Rick's for many years. I grew up in Stuyvesant Town - he cut my mother's hair and then mine and my sisters. We followed him across 2nd Avenue, then to 23rd Street and finally to Besu. My sister and I now live in Brooklyn and we have happily come back to Gramercy to see Rick every couple of months. Thank you, Rick, for many wonderful haircuts, jokes, opinions, stories of almost making it to American Bandstand and Italian recipes. He will be greatly missed.
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Brooke Coneys posted a condolence
Friday, June 26, 2020
Rick was responsible for me putting my best head forward for 30 years. He was always concerned about what was best for my hair, not what was best for his pocketbook. In the last couple of years, I worried about what I'd do when he retired, never dreaming of a loss like this. He's irreplaceable on many levels. Thank you for posting the photo you chose. It's quintessential Rick! My heartfelt condolences.
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Nancy Collins posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
I knew him as "Rick". He has taken care of my hair for 50 years. He was very talented & skillful. I enjoyed his company. I have recommended Rick to many friends & family members because I had complete trust in him. I haven't seen Rick in months - because salons were closed. Yesterday, I went to the BeSu Salon in Gramercy - expecting to see him there? He wasn't & I asked staff members, "When is Rick coming back?" 2 staff members took me aside & told me. I burst into tears = SHOCK/HORROR... I consider Rick to be much more than a hairdresser, rather, he was a long time friend....a great loss & impossible to replace.
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Linda Farhood-Karasavva posted a condolence
Saturday, June 20, 2020
I just found out 2 minutes ago that Rick had passed of the insidious coronavirus.
I was so shocked. I had called the salon to make an appointment and was given
the news. I am devastated and have not processed this yet. Like so many
others who wrote about Rick, I had known him for years and was his client for
so long. I never saw him in anything but a good mood and he always greeted
me with a smile. We had some great talks over the years, some very personal.
He loved his family very much and I can't imagine how they must be feeling now.
We both loved doo-wop and had some great chats about the old groups of the
50s.
This loss is incalculable.
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Barbara Heidt lit a candle
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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It is with shock and great sadness I write this. Rick was more than a hairdresser to me, he was a friend who I have known for over 40 years. We caught up on each other’s lives every 3 weeks. Talked of family, pets, gadgets, gardening and tv shows. He always greeted me with a smile and I will surely miss him. Rest In Peace Rick....
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Andrea nimberger posted a condolence
Sunday, May 3, 2020
It is w tears in my eyes that I write this. Rick cut my moms hair for 50 years many times w me at his side. He cut both my son’s and my hair as well. 3 generations of wonderful stories shared. We will remember him with love
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Danielle lit a candle
Monday, April 27, 2020
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Thank you all for the wonderful things that you have written about my dear father. Right now, I feel a very hollow space inside my heart and I miss so terribly. However, I know that he is now in Heaven...happy, peaceful and looking down over my mother and me.
Danielle
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Joe Altschuler Posted Apr 27, 2020 at 9:29 PM
I understand...your Dad was a very special person. I had lost both my parents by the time I was 25 so I get it, I truly do.
You are correct he will always look down from Heaven at you and your Mom and he will let you know that he is there and ok.
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Joe Altschuler lit a candle
Monday, April 27, 2020
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Frank (Rick ) Riggi cut my hair from August, 1977 until March 13, 2020...a period of almost 43 years. When I was younger I got my haircut every 5 weeks, in later years every 6 ..so it was safe to say that Rick cut my hair well over 400 times. Rick was more than my hair stylist, he was a mensch and most of all he was my friend.
When we spoke he was rivited on what I was saying like at that moment in time I was truly important and he focused on the interraction. We would talk politics, investments, Renee's back, his son's admission to and tenure at my Yale Alma Mater, his daughter's nursing career and a myriad of other topics too numerous to mention.here. Rick was a man's man .
I would always look forward to our appointments so that we could catch up with what had transpired since the last visit. There were not too many things that I looked forward to about my subway ride in from Queens....but the conversation with Rick was always worth the trip. The only thing we couldn't talk about was baseball. I'm a passionate Yankee fan and he just had no interest in baseball. He had lots of interest in a multitude of other things.
He was customer oriented. He treated each of his customers like they were friends and not just clients. I was always impressed with how he treated the customers both before and after me. He truly cared about how I was doing and how this or that had turned out.
There are lots of folks who cut hair in NYC.....very few who bring the combination of professionalism and personality that Rick brought into the mix
He loved Renee since they were high school sweethearts. G-d only knows, they were happly married for over 54 years. Renee told me about how good their marriage was and I was able to tell her that I agreed based on what he had said over the decades.
I am going to miss my longtime friend greatly. He added a special substance to the lives of all those he interfaced with including mine. I am truly sorry that his life has been cut short by this one in a hundred billion shot straight out of the Twilight Zone. I wll say Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead on his behalf every day for a year. I know he has gone back to the Eternal who made him and that he will see his loved ones again in that special place reserved for those who play by The Rules. Sometimes life is harsh and we don't know here why bad things happen to good people
In the immortal words of the 12th Century Persian writer and historian, Omar Kayyam from his famous Rubyiat:
"The moving finger writes and having writ moves on. Nor all thy piety nor wit shall move it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash away a word of it."
Rest in peace my good friend: and may you bask in the light and the glory of the Eternal forever.
Joe Altschuler
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Carol Conard lit a candle
Saturday, April 25, 2020
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I still can't believe Rick is not with us. I started having him as a hairdresser when his mother was still in the shop.(Haironymus). We had many great conversations over the years over politics, dogs, the neighborhood, computers ....... it was always great to hear about his adventures and then I would have to show him pictures of Gigi. Many times he would ask that I text a photo to him so that Renee could get a smile from it too. Renee and Danielle my heart breaks for you. You are in my prayers.
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Anthony Mina posted a condolence
Friday, April 24, 2020
As a young teenager in Jersey City I used to walk to my High School which was across town. I didn't have to but somehow it was relaxing for me to prepare for the day ahead. I had a younger cousin who when he started in the same school, he was a couple of years behind me, I invited him to walk with me to school. He did, only of about one semester. The reason I remember this so well is because of the great discussions we would have while walking. We young philosophers would ask questions like, "What is God"? and "What is Hell"? I remember one of his opinions on "What is Hell" was "Maybe this is Hell we are living everyday." I just chalked it up to his anxiety because of going to a new school. But we continued to solve the great questions of the world, at least in our own minds.
Well like I said it was only for one semester but we always remained friends and I always thought fondly on this time we spent together, even though through the years we only scarcely kept in contact. Recently, thankfully through another cousin we started to have bi-annual meetings at restaurants. What a wonderful time this was, TY Nancy.
Well this cousin, Ricky, passed last night due to the 'Wuhan Virus'. Well there you go Ricky, you have the answer to those questions, just like that.....I'm jealous.
God have mercy on Ricky's soul and grant him a happy place in heaven.
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Helen Tannenbaum lit a candle
Friday, April 24, 2020
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My condolences to Renee, Danielle and Brett. Rick was my friend and hairdresser for 44 years. Over the years, we discussed so many things--music, stereo equipment, technology, health, investments. His interests and knowledge were wide-ranging. He was a devoted family man and was so proud of all of you. I am sure you will miss him terribly; I know I will. May you find comfort in your memories.
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Patricia Coggins lit a candle
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
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I am so saddened to learn of Rick's passing. Rick was my hairdresser and a friend for over 20 years. Having grown up in Jersey City, we had something in common from the very beginning. I would pick his brain about my grass problems upstate n my computer issues n we were on the same page politically. He always had a smile - except when he was talking politics! I will remember him in my prayers. My sincere condolences to his dear wife and family.
Patricia Coggins
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Danielle Shana Riggi lit a candle
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
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My Daddy was such an incredible man. He was an amazing, hands on parent who would do absolutely anything for me. My childhood and adulthood are filled with beautiful memories and special times that we shared together. When I was growing up, he would love to toss around a baseball with me and build model cars and planes with me, He often took me the music store, bowling, fishing and to the arcade to play video games and skee ball. He and my mother taught me how to play tennis. He was always there to listen, give advice and protect me. He taught me piano and showed me the beauty of music. He was a gifted self taught musician and played piano, keyboards, organ, guitar, accordion and violin. He was so generous. He put me through both private university and nursing school; he didn’t want me to have the burden of student loans. He was a devout Catholic and insistent on teaching me proper manners, respect and high morality. He was also gifted in fixing things and creating things, and showed me how to troubleshoot and repair things in my own home. His other loves included hairstyling, following politics, landscaping, gardening, having the latest gadgets, tending to the family’s golden retrievers and Northern Italian cooking. He was a giving and nurturing family man and took outstanding care of me and my mother, both emotionally and financially. Losing him here on Earth is devastating and I miss him terribly, but I know that his spirit will always remain with me, as will the amazing memories that we shared together. I really must say that I completely hit the jackpot to be lucky enough to call this amazing man my father. I feel so extremely blessed
Written by his daughter, Danielle Shana
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Carol Conard Posted Apr 25, 2020 at 12:31 AM
I'm sure your father is smiling when he saw you writing this memorial. He was always so proud of you.
Carol Conard, friend and client of your father's for many years.
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Lois Rafferty lit a candle
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
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Ricky and Rene the light of each others lives. Rest in peace with the Lord.
Anita Cowan lit a candle
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
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Marguerite Degnan lit a candle
Monday, April 20, 2020
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I’m devastated to learn of Rick’s passing. I’ve been his client for nearly 40 years so he’s like family to me. My deepest condolences to his family. I feel like I know you all. May God bless him and all of you at this sorrowful time.
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The family of Frank Riggi uploaded a photo
Monday, April 20, 2020
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TARA D'AMATO lit a candle
Monday, April 20, 2020
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Dear Rene and Family: "Rick was my hairdresser for 50 years......since I was in 4th grade in Epiphany School and first at his Mom's hair salon on second avenue and 22nd street. I loved Rick and for these many years I schlepped into NYC from NJ to have him......."THE MASTER".......take care of my hair. He was like family...like my Uncle Rick..........funny, smart, politically motivated and intelligent........... and a MASTER OF HIS CRAFT!!
My heart aches at his loss but my 50 year memory of his jokes; laughter; descriptions of his latest furr babies (Jazz) and their antics, his latest DIY project, Italian food and how he adored his dear "Rene"..................will fill my heart and fond memories of this truly decent, talented, funny, occasionally irreverant and loving man.
Rest in peace "Uncle Rick"...................Much Love.
TARA D'AMATO
230 North Central Avenue
Ramsey, NJ 07446
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Linda lit a candle
Sunday, April 19, 2020
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We will
Miss you at our next cousins reunion. You will always be in our hearts. Love from John and Linda
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Barbara Zeller lit a candle
Sunday, April 19, 2020
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Barbara Zeller posted a condolence
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Ricky, you will be remembered for your great smile, wonderful warmth, and just the way you shared your laughter. Heaven has a shining light, a bright soul, and a good man.
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Danielle Riggi uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, April 19, 2020
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Danielle Riggi lit a candle
Sunday, April 19, 2020
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About Us
We, the Higgins family, for over 135 years and four generations, have been privileged to serve the families and the community as a whole with professional service and personal attention.
WATCHUNG Location
752 Mountain Blvd
Watchung, NJ 07069
Steve Szczubelek, Manager