When Joel Radicchi, a UB alumnus, died tragically last Friday in a car accident, those who knew him were changed forever. What Joel left behind was a legacy of impact on his friends, family and on the UB community.
With Radicchi's death, the Buffalo community, as well as Binghamton, where Radicchi hailed from, were devastated that such a promising life was taken from them.
"We went to the same elementary school, high school and now college together," said Caitlin Johnson, a sophomore psychology and marketing major who had been close with the victim all of her life.
According to Johnson, prior to entering UB, Radicchi was a local basketball star, admired for his intelligence and his charming nature. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, as well as a Mathlete. In high school, as an ice cream shop employee, Radicchi invented an original ice cream flavor still sold today.
"I remember Joel most from when I played basketball with him. He was a really strong player and definitely helped carry our team," said Keith Gorgos, a UB law student who had known Radicchi since high school.
According to Gorgos, Radicchi had a contagiously positive attitude and was a friend to all, helping to lead and inspire everyone he met.
"Joel always provided great leadership for the team and always stood by his teammates and friends, both on the court and off," Gorgos said.
Radicchi's outgoing and caring personality contributed to everything he did, making everything fun for others.
"(During basketball games,) we always ran out onto the court for warm-ups to the song 'Bro Hymn Tribute' by Pennywise," Gorgos said. "The song always got Joel pumped up before games because of its energy and definitely is representative of Joel's energetic personality. Whenever I hear that song now, I'll definitely be thinking of it as a tribute to the memory of Joel."
"He was probably one of the most amazing people I've ever met," Johnson said. "Every time I would talk to him, it was like butterflies, and that's how everyone felt around him."
According to Keith Gorgos, Radicchi was a great friend to all.
"Joel was a very caring person and was always looking out for everyone else," Gorgos said. "He was always full of energy, always had a smile on his face and was always there to pick people up when they were down."
According to friends, Radicchi's personality often inspired them, making friends as well as strangers feel in good company.
"He was really funny and outgoing and was nice to everyone. He was everyone's friend, and he knew everyone," said Natalie Mitch, a senior legal studies and political science major and friend of Radicchi.
At UB, Radicchi was a friend to all and was a member of the Schussmeisters Ski Club and was involved in many other facets of student life, according to Johnson. Radicchi graduated in the spring with a bachelor's degree in administration and finance and was working as a consultant for American General Financial Services at the time of the accident. Radicchi was also an avid football fan, as well as a friend to animals.
"Joel had a dog that he loved so much named Tequila; he was his best friend," Johnson said.
According to Johnson, Radicchi was a lifelong Giants fan who could be seen watching games every week at his favorite local haunt.
"Joel and his friends would go to Tully's (Restaurant) every Sunday for the games," Johnson said. "He would be the fan in the restaurant who would be cheering and jumping up and down whenever the Giants scored. He was everywhere because he was always out enjoying life, doing things and having a good time."
Radicchi loved UB and encouraged many students from his hometown of Binghamton to apply and enroll as undergraduates, including Johnson. Radicchi was always a strong and dedicated student, according to Johnson. Radicchi graduated Magna Cum Laude from UB in the spring and had previously graduated from high school with honors.
"He studied so much, you could always see him in Capen with his friends," Johnson said. "He was going to do something with his life. He wanted to be close to his friends and family, but he wanted to go far and he wanted to succeed."
Radicchi was very close to his family, according to Johnson.
"He would look forward to coming home during breaks to see family and friends in Binghamton and in Florida where his dad lived," Johnson said. "Everyone was always so happy to see him. I went home for the services this week, and there was an amazing turnout of people from Buffalo and from Binghamton. You could really see the variety of people that he touched."
Memorial services for Radicchi were held in Binghamton on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. According to friends, Radicchi's family requests that flowers be omitted and sympathy expressions for Radicchi be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Above all, those who knew Radicchi best said that he lived life to the fullest and was determined to achieve.
"I know if he was here to help people through this, he would tell everyone not to cry for him," Johnson said. "He would want us to party for him rather than to cry for him, and toast to life - that's the kind of person he was; he just lived."
According to Gorgos, Radicchi touched everyone that he met and would encourage his friends to succeed rather than mourn for him.
"Although Joel may not be physically here with us today, he lives on through those who were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet him during his short time with us," Gorgos said. "Joel undoubtedly made this world a better place and his colorful life will forever live on through all of us. Joel's strong, energetic, kind and caring personality will continue to spread through everyone he touched."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
