Tributes paid to former Crows captain Mark Ricciuto’s father Murray

Tributes are being paid to “loving and hard-working family man” Murray Ricciuto – father of Crows champion Mark – after his death on Friday.

Family and friends have paid tribute to Murray Ricciuto, father of Crows football champion Mark, remembering him as “the life of the party”.

Mr Ricciuto, 78, died in his sleep early on Friday morning at the family home in Waikerie, his wife of 56 years Carolyn said.

“He went peacefully, so we’re thankful for that,” Mrs Ricciuto said.

“I’ve had all my family up here all weekend and they’ve been lovely … all the grandkids.”

Mrs Ricciuto said her husband had sleep apnoea and emphysema, and had been less socially active since the Covid pandemic.

Mark Ricciuto with father Murray after his 300th game in 2006. Picture: File

“That wasn’t like Murray at all – he was always the life of the party,” she said.

Murray had five sisters and was the only son of one of the Riverland’s earliest Italian settlers Nicola Ricciuto, who had arrived in Adelaide in 1927 and bought his first block at Ramco, right on the river just outside Waikerie, in 1948.

That orchard was passed to Murray, who grew grapes, peaches, apricots and oranges, and is now owned by his son Mark.

Mrs Ricciuto said Murray passed away on what was his own mother’s birthday.

Footballer Mark Ricciuto wearing the Brownlow Medal with his parents Carolyn and Murray at the Alma Tavern in Norwood in 2003.

“We think that’s pretty special,” she said.

“He was a family man, he adored his kids … he loved people really, he was always up for a chat.

“He was loving, caring, he worked hard … he wanted to do the best he could.”

As well as driving son Mark back and forth to training with West Adelaide and the Crows, Murray and Carolyn would attend matches.

“He loved his football – he trained kids and he played footy for Waikerie, and he loved the Crows,” she said.

“He was ropeable about what happened to the Crows last week, but it was nice that they made mention of him at the start of the Crows game the other night.”

The Adelaide players wore black armbands at their match against West Coast on Saturday in Murray’s honour.

Murray’s brother-in-law, Ian Light, said he had played a big role in son Mark’s success, which included playing in the Crows’ 1998 premiership team, captaining the club from 2001-07 and winning the 2003 Brownlow Medal.

“When Mark was playing at Adelaide Oval, everyone in that section would know Murray – he commanded attention,” Mr Light said.

Murray Ricciuto, the father of former Crows captain Mark Ricciuto, has passed away. Picture: Adelaide Football Club/Facebook

“He always loved a drink and was the life of the party – everyone knew he was around because always a practical joker, having a bit of fun and always laughing, no matter where he was.”

Loxton Waikerie councillor Gary Pfeiler said the Ricciuto family had deep roots and friendships throughout the Riverland community.

“Murray loved the river and he loved his fishing, he loved a punt, he loved his footy and a joke and a bit of laughter,” Mr Pfeiler said.

Riverland Football League president Henry Crawford said he knew Mr Ricciuto and that his passing was “very sad for the Waikerie community” as well as the family and Waikerie Football Club.

“His efforts were fairly heroic – it was something like 50-odd trips down to Adelaide in one year, getting Mark down to training,” Mr Crawford said.

“That’s not unlike what a lot of families and regional communities do for their kids in sport. It was wonderful that he was able to do that for Mark – and look at the results.”

Mr Crawford said that Murray and Carolyn were “very community-minded people and very passionate about Waikerie”.

Lifelong friend Errol Matschoss, who grew up opposite Murray’s childhood home, said he was “a great mate and family friend, who thought the world of his family”.

“He was always the life of the party, no more so than at his 60th, where he roasted all his guests,” Mr Matschoss, 74, said.

“He enjoyed a good practical joke, of which I was the butt of a couple.”

He said that Murray had inherited his own father Nicola’s proud Italian, hardworking ethic.

“He was a good blocker (fruit grower) but of late, he put all of his efforts into Mark and his other children,” Mr Matschoss said.

“I can remember the VL Commodore that he used to go to West Adelaide training in, once or twice a week – and Mark was doing his homework on the floor of it, coming home.

“He was larger than life, old Murray – he was always out in the community, but always stuck very close to his family and family values.”

As well as his wife Carolyn and son Mark, Murray Ricciuto is survived by his other children Lisa and Craig.