Patroons: Riccitello’s Restaurant owners awarded Schenectady’s highest honor

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SCHENECTADY — With John Riccitello’s Restaurant set to close on Sunday after 61 years in operation, the restaurant’s owners were granted Schenectady’s highest honor on Tuesday night during a surprise ceremony.

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy bestowed the Patroon Award to Lewis and Donna Riccitello at the Foster Avenue eatery on Tuesday with the restaurant owners set to retire after Sunday’s dinner service.

“It’s very humbling and very much appreciated,” Donna Riccitello said after receiving the award. “We’re excited for the next chapter, but we’re sad to see this go. We’ve gotten beautiful cards and letters and accolades. It’s just overwhelming.”

McCarthy said the old-school Italian restaurant has been a Schenectady mainstay since it was purchased by Lewis’ parents, John and Mary Riccitello, in 1962.

“It’s an institution,” McCarthy said prior to the ceremony. “Lou, and his wife, Donna, have brought such vibrancy with this restaurant to so many people’s lives. From my perspective, it’s a small recognition of their great contributions to the community and the city as they’re starting to phase down now in these last days.”

McCarthy said the restaurant closure would represent a notable loss to the community if the property is not sold to a buyer who wants to maintain a restaurant at the site.

“We’re still hopeful they’ll set up a transition so they’ll be able to continue in some form as they move on to their next phase in life,” he said. “Hopefully, the restaurant will be able to continue and contribute.”

The award was a surprise to the restaurant proprietors, who thought the restaurant was simply hosting a fundraising dinner for Schenectady Councilwoman Carmel Patrick on Tuesday night.

“I always do these with a little element of surprise,” McCarthy said prior to the event. “I haven’t done one in almost a year, so it’s a very significant recognition.”

Donna Riccitello said she and her husband were caught off guard to receive the city’s highest honor, which was inaugurated in 1954 by Mayor Archibald Wemple.

“We didn’t know anything about it, so it was a total surprise,” she said.

McCarthy said the Glenville couple’s contributions to the community have been immeasurable in the decades that they’ve run the beloved restaurant.

“We want to recognize you for all that you’ve done,” McCarthy told the restaurant owners as he presented the award. “The friendship and the great food and camaraderie that this restaurant has provided, we’re sad to see you go, but also happy that you’re going to move on and spend some time in Florida enjoying life.”

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