WILMINGTON — Richard Anthony Aquilini “Rich,” 79, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 5, 2025, after a four-year fight with chronic kidney disease.
He was born November 17, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey, to the late Dominick Aquilini and Rose Aquilini. Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his late brother, Andrew Aquilini.
Rich grew up in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, where he attended Catholic school for kindergarten through 12th grade. He graduated from Saint Rose High School in 1963, where he played baseball. He then attended Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee, where he studied and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management in 1967. While at Tennessee Tech, he was a member of Alpha Tau Delta Fraternity and further served as president.
In college, Rich met his loving wife, Sara Grace Sanders Aquilini, “Grace,” of Lewisburg, Tennessee. They got married on March 2, 1968, and spent 57 beautiful years together. On November 6, 1969, they welcomed their daughter Khristain Aquilini Russell, “Khristi.”
After marriage, Rich and Grace moved from New Jersey to Tennessee, where they lived most of their lives in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, and Memphis, Tennessee. Rich had a very successful business career, working for The Aladdin Company and Thermos, and then went on to retire from Smith & Nephew in 2007 as an International Group Director.
After retirement, Rich and Grace moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, to be close to their daughter Khristi and their grandchildren Grace Ellen Russell “Gracie” and Madeline Rose Russell “Maddie.” He loved the ocean and owned a beach house in Kure Beach, North Carolina, for many years.
Rich’s hobbies included playing tennis and golf. He was also a “collector” of many items throughout his life, including Yankee sports memorabilia. The Yankees were a huge part of his life. He watched every game during each season, attended games every chance he could, and even attended their spring training. He loved to collect old items to redo, including knives, old toys, and trains. You could always find him in his garage working on a new project.
Rich’s greatest loves were his “girls,” including his wife, only daughter, and two granddaughters. He was the best “Papa” in the world. He was always playing, doing crafts, traveling, and taking them shopping every chance he could. Not only would you catch him regularly picking them up from school, but he would not miss a single life achievement of theirs.
Rich will truly be missed and always in our hearts. Surviving Rich is his loving wife, Sara Grace Aquilini of Wilmington, NC; daughter, Khristi Russell (Todd) of Wilmington, NC; granddaughters, Gracie Russell and Maddie Russell of Wilmington, NC; brother Dominick Aquilini (Carol) of Londonderry, New Hampshire; and his loving aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
A “Celebration of Life” for Rich will be held at 12:00PM (noon) on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Covey, 1610 Tiburon Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.
