Richard A. “Rich” Argentieri – 79 – of 54 Erie Ave., Hornell, died Thursday afternoon (March 29, 2018) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a brief illness.

Born in Hornell on August 15, 1938, he was the son of Nicholas & Emma (Severo) Argentieri.

Rich grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (class of 1958). He later earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Alfred State College.

For most of his adult life, Rich was involved in the restaurant business. From 1958 – 1973 he served as manager of the Blue Angel Restaurant, a family business owned by his parents. In 1974 he opened the Italian Villa restaurant in the K-Mart Plaza and operated the business for about six years. In 1980, Rich moved to Daytona Beach, FL and opened Angelo’s Italian Restaurant which he operated for about seven years.

Rich move back to Hornell in 1987 and established the Pink Cadillac Restaurant which he owned & operated until 1997. In recent years, he helped out his son, Dickie, by working in the kitchen of the Italian Villa Restaurant. He was usually spotted in the kitchen rolling meatballs & rolling pizza dough.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He was also a member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus and the Hornell Elks Lodge. In his younger years, Rich enjoyed hunting, fishing & playing golf. Throughout the years, he was enjoyed rooting for the Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees. He was also a NASCAR fan with his favorite driver being Dale Earnhardt.

Rich is survived by 2 daughters, Deborah (Christopher) Alger of Hornell and Karen Argentieri of Washington, DC; 2 sons, Richard “Dickie” Argentieri of Hornell and Nicholas Arno of Hornell; his loving companion, Bonnie Arno with whom he resided; 2 sisters, Mary Theresa Walsh of Fairport and Diane Argentieri of Hornell; 1 brother, Joseph (Pamela) Argentieri of West Palm Beach, FL; 4 grandchildren, Erica Alger, Samantha Alger, Zachary Alger and Alexandria Argentieri; several nieces, nephews & cousins.

At Rich’s request there will be no prior calling hours. A Memorial Service held on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Rich’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to either the Hornell Alumni Association, PO Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843.