Richard Santo Trifilo passed away peacefully on January 18, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Richard was born on June 6, 1947 to the late William Joseph and Etta (Gerdes) Trifilo. He married Veronica Ann Trifilo, daughter of John and Angelina Ponessa, on October 18, 1969 in Sacred Heart Church. She was his wife, love, strength, advocate and best friend for over 49 years. Veronica survives at home.
He is further survived by two sons: William Joseph Trifilo and his wife Laura Mavroudis, two grandchildren Paula Ann “Alec” Trifilo and Evan Richard Trifilo, and Michael Richard Trifilo and his husband Christian Daniel Kiley; his sister Jo-Ann Pulliam and her husband Charles, their two children Michael Richard Pulliam and Sharonrose Consorti, her husband Alex and their daughter Scarlet Elizabeth Consorti; his sister-in-law Celeste Ricciardone and her husband Frank and their children Thomas Greco, Nicole Beck, Carla Doherty and Vanessa Ricciardone; his brother-in-law John Ponessa III (and partner Sue Vizethann) his children John IV, Michael, Andrew, Christine and Gabrielle Ponessa and Mackenzie Grace.
Richard graduated NFA in June 1965. He was a member of USAR 854th Eng. Bn. Company B 1968-1974, and owner of Richie's Mill Street Inn 1970-1976. Rich had a truck accident on June 9, 1982 resulting in the loss of his left arm. He went on to college and graduated Marist College in May 1987 with a BS in Labor Relations. From June 1987-May 2013 he was employed by the DPW of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Rich worked his way up through the system to COR for the Real Property Maintenance Agreement contract at STAS, Chief of Housing Facilities Management for West Point Housing and retired as the Team Leader for the Master Planning Division for West Point.
Rich was an avid golfer and was very proud of his two “holes in one”. He was a member of the Southern Dutchess Country Club for 16 years and the West Point Golf Club for 3 years. Tell Carl, JR and Matt even in death I still hate the fifth hole at WPGC.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to LAP4LIFE Foundation.
Memorial visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Thursday, January 24 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.