Richard Rich Anthony Aquilini, 79 – Port City Daily

Wilmington-Richard Anthony Aquilini “Rich”, 79, from Wilmington, North Carolina, died peacefully on Monday, February 5, 2025, after a four-year battle with chronic kidney disease.

He was born on November 17, 1945 in Newark, New Jersey, the late Dominic Aquilini and Rose Aquilini. Together with his parents, he was also preceded by death by his late brother Andrew Aquilini.

Rich grew up at Point Pleasant, New Jersey, where he attended the Catholic Kindergarten School of Grade 12. He graduated from St. Rose High School in 1963, where he played baseball. He then visited the Technical University of Tennessee in Kukevil, Tennessee, where he studied and received a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1967. While in Tennessee Tech, he was a member of the Alfa Tau Delta and was additionally president.

At Rich College, he met with his loving wife, Sarah Grace Sanders Aquilini, Grace from Lewisburg, Tennessee. They married on March 2, 1968 and spent 57 beautiful years together. On November 6, 1969, they welcomed their daughter Hristin Aquilini Russell, “Christians.”

After marriage, Rich and Grace moved from New Jersey to Tennessee, where the bigger part of their lives lived on Juliet peak, Lebanon and Memphis, Tennessee. Rich had a very successful business career working for Aladdin and Thermos, and then continued to retire from Smith & Nephew in 2007 as director of the international group.

After their retirement, Rich and Grace moved to Wilmington, North Carolina to be close to their daughter Christians and their grandchildren Grace Ellen Russell Gracey and Madeline Rose Russell Madi. He loved the ocean and owned a beach house in Cure Beach, North Carolina for many years.

Rich’s hobby included a game of tennis and golf. He was also a “collector” of many items throughout his life, including Yankee’s sports memorials. The Yankees were a huge part of his life. He watched every game every season, attending games every chance that he could and even attended their spring workout. He liked to collect old objects to repeat, including knives, old toys and trains. You can always find it in his garage, working on a new project.

Rich’s biggest love was his “girls”, including his wife, only a daughter and two granddaughters. He was the best “dad” in the world. He always played, made crafts, traveled, and accepted them to shop every chance he could. Not only would you catch him regularly choose them from school, but he would not miss any of their achievement.

Rich will really be missed and always in our hearts. Survivor Rich is his loving wife, Sarah Grace Aquilini from Wilmington, North Carolina; Daughter, Christians Russell (Todd) of Wilmington, North Carolina; granddaughters, Grace Russell and Madi Russell of Wilmington, North Carolina; Brother Dominic Aquilini (Carol) of Londonerri, New Hampshire; And his loving aunt, nephews, nephews and cousins.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Rich’s Festival for Rich will be held at 12:00 (Lunch) on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Covey, 1610 Tiburon Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.