Jim Ricci's mother dies at 98

Former Beacon Journal reporter Jim Ricci's mother died. The email from Jim:

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Fellas, I want you to know that my mother, Cecilia Ricci, died
yesterday at age 98.

She had a great run. Her decline began only a few
weeks ago, and she was under hospice care for only a few days.

Of course, we in the family are sad, but also grateful for the long, spirited life she had.

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“Yesterday” was Friday, Oct. 12. Jim’s email to friends was forwarded to BJ Alums blog by former BJ reporter Bill Hershey (now with the Dayton Daily News).

Jim left the BJ for the Detroit Free Press, joining former BJ managing editor Scott Bosley as part of the “Akron Mafia” in the newsroom. 

Jim’s next stop was the Los Angeles Times, as a Pulitzer Prize finalist columnist till his 2008 retirement.

Jim has two daughters by first wife Kathy (they were married 30 years), Annie the opera singer and Laura the artist. He has a son and a daughter by his current companion, Carrie, a TV and film executive.