Michael Allen

Riccobono

Michael Allen Riccobono, of Felton, Delaware, passed away on November 5, 2026, at the age of 68. He was born on October 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to Batavia, New York shortly after his birth. Then after starting a family of his own, Mike relocated to Delaware, where he lived for nearly 40 years.

Mike will be lovingly remembered as both a peaceful, practical man and a dedicated hard worker. Mike never faced a problem he couldn’t fix. If something was broken, his family knew they could rely on him to fix it. They knew he’d drop everything to help his family when they needed him. In addition, he and his wife worked diligently on many home improvement projects, transforming the beautiful home they shared together from a simple house to a work of art. His skill extended to cars as well - he enjoyed fixing up classic cars, including his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle. He also excelled at his career as an automotive machinist, which is a profession he entered right out of high school. His loyalty and commitment is evident on his resume - for the almost forty years he lived in Delaware, he was employed at the same machine shop the entire time.

Over the years, Mike built a life centered on his devotion to his family and a great enjoyment of the outdoors. He loved spending time traveling with his wife, especially their many trips to the beautiful mountains of Virginia. One of his favorite activities was canoeing down the Shenandoah River and enjoying the peaceful sights and sounds of the river. Fishing was another of his great enjoyments – especially fly fishing. He taught both of his daughters and many of his grandkids to fish - although he probably spent more time baiting hooks with “icky worms” and then inevitably untangling badly-cast lines from trees than fishing during those years! Visits from his children and grandchildren always made him smile – he was affectionately known as “Poppop” to his five grandchildren. He was also a loyal sports fan who always rooted for the Baltimore Orioles and the Buffalo Bills.

Above all, Mike loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Riccobono; his daughters, Sara Flanagan and her husband Pat, and Katie Decker and her husband Mike; his cherished grandchildren, Logan Flanagan, Lilly Flanagan, Ainsley Decker, Aurora Decker, and Eloise Decker; and his brothers, Dave Riccobono, Frank Riccobono, Doug Riccobono, and Bob Riccobono. The love he shared with his family was a defining part of his life, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Marjorie Riccobono.

Mike’s memory will live on in the family he loved so deeply and in the many profound, lasting impressions he leaves behind. His family will be holding a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to the charity of your choice be made in Mike’s honor.

Arrangements in the care of Berry-Short Funeral Home in Felton, Delaware. Online condolences may be shared at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com