Pelham, MA – Robert “Bob” Simpson Ricci was born May 12, 1947, Springfield MA to Benjamin (1923-2006) and Virginia Ricci (1924-2012). He died December 3, 2025, age 78.
Robert is survived by his brothers James (Margaret) Williamsburg MA and Thomas (Susan) Sacramento CA in addition to several nieces and nephews.
Early in Robert’s life he was diagnosed as being mentally retarded.
Today the terminology used is Developmental Disabilities.
Robert lived at The Belchertown State School from 1953 until 1980.
Robert was the Plaintiff in a successful 2/7/72 landmark class action federal lawsuit advocating for the rights and care of the mentally retarded in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Robert worked for many years for the Town of Amherst in various jobs at Town Hall and the Bangs Community Center. He particularly enjoyed delivering interoffice mail to the Amherst Fire Department. Robert was known by many members of the Amherst, Belchertown and Pelham, firefighting community.
Robert was also a train enthusiast and attended many Amherst Railway Society events.
Robert was a kind and well-liked member of the Amherst MA community for forty plus years.
Almadan Inc. has provided kind, loving and respectful, support services for many years, first at his Clark House Apartment and later at his group home Hospice of the Fisher House, Amherst MA, assisted Almadan Inc. when Robert was at the end of his life’s journey.
Be like Bob, be kind. Donate to the charity of your choice.
A memorial service as a celebration of life is planned for early 2026.
Douglass Funeral Services, Amherst MA, is handling funeral arrangements.
Memorial guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes