Richard Anthony Bisconti 1942-2024

Richard was born Aug. 18, 1942, to Tony and Frances Davanzo Bisconti, also of Lowellville. He was raised (and survived) by his sister Marlene in a community full of his aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Lowellville High School in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Colaneri, on May 11, 1963. Richard is not only survived by his wife, but also by their three daughters, Gina (Jack) Durkin, Lori (Ray) Carlson and Toni Lynn (Lindsey) Bisconti; his four grandchildren, Michael Romeo, Sarah (Erik) Johnson, Raymond (Alexis) Carlson and Emily (Joe) Ohlin; and his three great-grandchildren, Madison, Leah and Nora, all of whom loved their Papoo very much.

Richard earned an associate degree in accounting from Youngstown State University in 1971 and subsequently made an impact on the healthcare industry, devoting much of his life to his career. In the 1970s and 1980s, he worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield, eventually becoming the vice president of provider relations. In the early 1990s, he left BCBS to start one of our area’s first preferred provider organizations, PrimeNet Inc. He and Beverly ran PrimeNet for 10 years and simultaneously founded a health insurance brokerage company, R.A. Bisconti and Associates. Richard retired from his full-time career in the early 2000s, but continued to be a healthcare broker for the next decade or so.

After retirement, he and Beverly became snowbirds, spending part of the year in Bonita Springs, Florida, until their grandchildren began participating in school activities, which led to their return to full-time residency in the Mahoning Valley.

Richard loved to travel, especially to Italy, going back several times with his wife and grandchildren. One of his most recent visits was particularly special, as he was able to take his two grandsons. He also cruised several times with his wife, including one in the Mediterranean with their two granddaughters. Finally, he was able to travel to Israel with his daughter Lori for a trip of a lifetime that included several Christian landmarks, and most shockingly, a required camel ride for transportation. The video of him riding the camel is a sight we will never forget!

Richard was a member of several social and golf clubs and a parishioner at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Lowellville. However, the membership most dear to his heart was the Mt. Carmel Society of Lowellville, of which he has been a member for 50 years. Richard’s love for the society and its festival is something that he passed down to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Richard has been the president of the society twice and has served on the executive board for much of his membership. Currently, his two grandsons are on the executive board, carrying on their grandfather’s legacy. Mt. Carmel’s 128-year-old feast day on July 16, and the accompanying festival, were the highlight of Richard’s year, never missing a moment, including the parade, Mass, six o’clock bombs, babydoll dance and fireworks. He was the parade marshal for decades before handing it over to his grandson, Michael.

Richard had an incredible life, full of family, love, success, travel and blessings. After a long and near-fatal battle with COVID, he was able to recover and enjoy another two-and-a-half years of grandchildren’s weddings, great-grandchildren’s births, babydoll dances, family get-togethers and dinners with Beverly. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family would like to say thank you to FirstLight Home Care of the Valley, especially Kayla, Laura and Nikki, who took incredible care of Richard in the last month of his life, as well as Tom from Akeso Hospice Care, who was available to us around the clock with dedication, patience and compassion. We would also like to thank our family, friends and community for their love, generosity and support.

Friends and family will be received at Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave., Youngstown, from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024. There will be prayers at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the funeral home, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville.

In lieu of family donations, the family requests that your donation go to the Dementia Society of America or The Lowellville Mt. Carmel Society.

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