Richard W. Aurisano

 Richard Warren Aurisano was born on April 14, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York and passed away on March 13, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was an exemplary person – a model of kindness, optimism, persistence, faith, curiosity, and selfless devotion to others. He retained his positive outlook and hope for the future, through tremendously difficult times. He had a great sense of humor and was known as the king of puns. He was an exceptional son, father, husband, and friend.

Rick resided for 33 years in New York, 8 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 36 years in Houston, Texas. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Queens College and PhD from Rutgers University, specializing in geology and paleontology. He worked for Amoco for 19 years, contributing to palynology research, specializing in dinoflagellates and foraminifera; for the Knights of Columbus for 5 years, as an insurance agent; and finally, he was a professor for the University of Houston-Downtown, and Wharton County Junior College, teaching geology until the final years of his life.

Rick is survived by sons David and Adam Aurisano, daughter-in-law Jillian Aurisano, and grandchildren, Haven, Alessia, Luca, Lane, Simona, and Matteo Aurisano. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Maria Aurisano, who died one year before him on March 13, 2024. He was also preceded in death by his mother Margaret Aurisano, who joined his family as they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and later Houston, Texas. Richard moved to Cincinnati in the final months of his life.

Rick’s early life was marked with significant challenges. He grew up in difficult conditions in Brooklyn, primarily supported by his mother working long hours at low-paying factory jobs. After contracting mumps at a very early age, Rick experienced profound hearing loss. This hearing loss went unnoticed for a period of time. Even at a young age, Rick was very intelligent and he naturally developed systems to navigate life without hearing. He passed hearing exams in school by noting how the test administrator pressed specific buttons and other students raised their hands to signal the right answers. His teachers and family only became suspicious during elementary school. He supplemented his education at the local public school with a school for deaf children, where he learned to read lips. His mother had to work long hours, so he learned to take the trains across the city to this school by himself at a young age. During elementary school, he met his life-long friend, Theodore D’Amico, who was eventually the best man at his wedding.

Rick thrived academically despite his hearing loss. In high school he developed an interest in science, and had evident natural talent. He attended and graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York from 1964–1970, obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Queens College, at the time, was tuition free and a haven for bright and passionate students in New York. Rick ultimately obtained a PhD in geology in 1980 from Rutgers University. He was the first in his family to go to college. His mother was forced to drop out of middle school to work in factories, and his father had very little formal education. Many people in his community did not understand why Rick went to college and then on to a PhD. However, Maria strongly encouraged Rick’s love of learning and pushed him to use his education to build a better life for himself and his family.

While attending Queens College, Rick was required to complete physical education credits. He attended a social dance class, and met Maria Avella, with whom he was immediately smitten. On their first date, Rick told Maria "I think I am going to marry you." Maria thought this was a bit crazy, and told him as much. On the second date, Rick told Maria, "I was wrong before about thinking I am going to marry you." Maria was relieved, but then Rick said, "I know I am going to marry you.". He won her over. They were married on Jan 3, 1970, at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church in Queens, New York. From that point on, Rick dedicated his life to Maria and his family. Their strong, loving relationship was the envy of, and example to, other couples. When Maria wanted to have children, Rick was concerned about being a good father since he had not had a good role model of his own. Maria assured him that she would help him learn. And he did - he was as loving and supportive father to his sons, David and Adam, as they could have ever wanted.

Rick developed a deep and close relationship with the Avella family that lasted his entire life. Maria's younger sisters, Phyllis and Jane, and Maria's parents, Josephine and Anthony, welcomed Rick and his mother Margaret into the Avella family. This extended family eventually grew to include brother-in-law Mark Gallagher and Doug Cameron, along with many nieces and nephews- James, Sara, Anthony and Natalie. To the Avella family, Rick was not an in-law, he was a son and brother. He was devoted to the family and would go to great lengths to care for his mother and Maria’s parents. His nickname was “the Teddy Bear”. No one could compare to the Teddy Bear. In 1977, their immediate family grew. Maria and Rick were overjoyed to welcome their first son, David.

Rick’s devotion to his family included a love for dogs. The family always included dogs despite the expense, time constraints and medical problems. Joey, the cute little diabetic blind dog adored Rick and followed him everywhere. Dogs know good people.

While securing his PhD at Rutgers, Rick would commute between Queens, New York and New Brunswick, New Jersey, a 55 mile drive. Due to the length, he would sleep in his office every other day. During this time, he met another lifelong friend, Anthony Charletta. Following different winding paths, Tony and Rick were both eventually transferred to Houston. The Charletta family, Tony, Cheryl, Jackie and Anthony, and the Aurisano family became very close, sharing most holidays together over the course of decades.

After completing his PhD from Rutgers, Rick got a job within a research division at Amoco. This job brought the family, including his mother Margaret, to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1980. This research division within Amoco was lively, and produced many significant results for the field of palynology. Maria and Rick welcomed their second son, Adam, into the family in Tulsa, in 1982. Rick and Maria were parishioners at Resurrection parish in Tulsa, and they deepened their commitment to the Catholic faith. True to Christian values, Maria and Rick used their time and money to prepare food for the poor weekly and on Thanksgiving.

Rick was an athlete for many years. In high school and college, he participated in track-and-field events, with his friend Theodore. He continued as a distance runner, participating in the Tulsa Run for several years.

Reorganizations within Amoco, moved the family to Houston and Richard to the exploration division, in 1988. There they purchased a home large enough to accommodate Rick’s mom who would otherwise have been alone. His work with Amoco led to travel around the world, including Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Gabon, Egypt, and Colombia. Rick and Maria were parishioners at Prince of Peace parish, participating regularly in mass, social events, and service work. They hosted many dinner parties for friends and family, and loved sharing food and stories with others. Rick and Maria believed strongly in the value of education, and enrolled David and Adam at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Academy, in Houston TX.

Rick parted with Amoco in 1999, when it was purchased by BP. He worked for the Knights of Columbus for 5 years. The Knights of Columbus provided a rich community for Rick, and he deepened his Catholic faith. He transitioned to a career teaching college courses at Wharton County Junior College and University of Houston-Downtown. Rick discovered a passion for teaching geology and paleontology, and was deeply committed to his students. He taught at both institutions for almost 20 years. He hoped to one day be able to teach again, even through the final months of his life.

In February 2023, Rick suffered severe medical complications following surgery. He spent many months in intensive care, followed by extensive stays in rehabilitation hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. His wife, Maria, passed away approximately one year later, on March 13, 2024, while Rick was still recovering. Rick moved to be closer to Adam and Jillian in Cincinnati, in August of 2024. He resided in Optimized Senior Living, in Lebanon, Ohio. The staff provided excellent care for Rick and he continued to recover. He was able to spend time with his grandchildren every weekend. Rick passed away from complications of suspected cancer, exactly one year to the day of Maria’s death. Evidently, Rick and Maria were not meant to be apart for long.

Rick’s gentle nature, inquisitive intellect, kind sense of humor combined with an amazing work ethic and extraordinary dedication, love, and commitment to his beloved wife, Maria, his sons, David and Adam, his grandchildren, Haven, Alessia, Luca, Lane, Simona, and Matteo, the Avella family, and many friends made him the remarkable man he was. The legacy Rick leaves behind in his sons and grandchildren is one that exemplifies goodness, honesty, hard work, and love of family. Rick will be sorely missed, but always loved and never forgotten.