Dennis A. Ricci

Dennis A. Ricci, age 80 years, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, near his home in Sonoma County, California.

Born on March 6, 1945, to Lucy and Albert Ricci, Dennis was a proud native of Sonoma. He graduated from Sonoma Valley High School, where he was celebrated as a Hall of Fame athlete in both football and track and field. After attending Chico State University, Dennis began a rich and varied life marked by hard, dedicated work, an entrepreneurial spirit, and leadership through his various businesses and community involvement.

From 1965 to 1986, Dennis moved to Lake Tahoe, where he raised three daughters with their mother Linda and built his family’s home, became a licensed building contractor in both California and Nevada, and ran a successful contracting business. During this time, Dennis also built and ran two restaurants, owned two gas stations, and acquired a small resort. Across all his businesses, Dennis managed over 100 employees, constructed hundreds of homes, and served on multiple committees, including as Chairman of the North Tahoe Parks and Recreation Commission.

From 1986 to 2003 family ties led Dennis to continue his journey in Susanville, California, where he ran a 300-acre ranch and taught mechanized agriculture, followed by time in Palm Springs, where he led a successful construction business. He later moved to Crested Butte, Colorado, to be closer to family, before settling in Bend, Oregon, where he continued his contracting work and raised a son with his mother Shelly.

In 2003, Dennis returned to his hometown of Sonoma, California, to care for his mother and help found Ricci Carneros Wines with his brother, Dale Ricci—a venture that combined his deep family ties to the land with his entrepreneurial drive.

Known for his dedication for hard work, a passion for politics, his sense of humor, his generous gardening and impressive cooking, Dennis is survived by a loving family of three daughters, Gina Johnson, Deanna Johnson (Don), and Rochelle Wintz, one son, Giovanni Ricci, five grandchildren, Nick Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Chase Johnson, Colby Johnson, and Zachary Wintz, and two great grandchildren, Ryan and Grace Johnson, who will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 12, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Dennis’s home: 295 West Spain Street, Sonoma, California. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of a life well lived.

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