Richard Solita

Anonymous replied on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 10:32am Permalink

Ted Ptak

My condolences to all of Rich’s family.

Anonymous replied on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 1:17pm Permalink

Bob Johnson

Worked with Richie in Gang Crimes West back in the late 70s and early 80s. Many fond memories of our various adventures. A great guy. My condolences to his family. RIP, Richie.

Anonymous replied on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 6:18pm Permalink

John Chojnacki

My condolences and prayers for Richie and his family. He was one of the good guys it was a pleasure to know. We worked in Gang Crimes West in the 70s and 80s. May he rest in eternal peace.

Anonymous replied on Fri, 09/13/2019 - 8:54pm Permalink

Terry Cornell Jr

I appreciated his talks with me. He was a good author. God bless you

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 9:53am Permalink

Tony Kuta

RIP Richie, you gave Gang Crimes West and the CPD character.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 11:29am Permalink

Bill Morrissette

RIP Rich. You were a good cop with a great sense of humor. My deepest sympathies to your family.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 11:37am Permalink

Steve Ripple

Rich was one of a kind! Hands down one of the most generous people I have ever met. I was fortunate to share Rich’s friendship for over 20 years and Rich valued his family and friends in a special way. Rich lived a very full and meaningful life of service to others. He will be missed but I take comfort in knowing we will meet again some day.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 1:32pm Permalink

Debi and Guy Shackleford

Richie you will be missed by so many of us here at padre Murphy’s. God bless you and your family.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 2:47pm Permalink

Crystal Bontorno

It was an honor having you for a professor in college. I learned so much. To the family, I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a great man. Sending hugs and prayers of peace to you all. Rest in peace Mr. Solita.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 4:59pm Permalink

rick erhardt and linda

iam so sorry for your loss he was a good friend and my best friend i will miss him. but i never will forget him.god bless my buddy.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 5:04pm Permalink

Ray Lewis

It was truly an honor to work with Richie. However, it was the times shared away from work that were some of the best moments. You never had to wonder what Richie was thinking, he made sure you knew. Rich had no filters. It was Richie's boldness to say what most of us were probably thinking that I will miss the most about him. Your Facebook rants were classic. Always a pleasure to be in your company. You will be missed my friend. Well done good and faithful servant. Ray Jay.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 8:54pm Permalink

Annette Munster

Richie was my good friend and confidant for the years I worked with him. He was a great tedNhGCacher, the students really liked him, he would tell like it really was out there! He would do anything for anyone, including seeing the good in them when others would give up on them. He was alway the opitimy of a " father" figure. Love life, He would see a way to make a positive, usually starting with a funny remark. Great and humble man with me . It was family and faith. Thank you Richie, I know I'll see you again one day.

Anonymous replied on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 10:16pm Permalink

Roger McGuire

RIP Richie Knew Richie in Gangs West late 70s and 80s. Outstanding police officer and person.

Anonymous replied on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 7:34am Permalink

tom toolis

RIP Richie! I will remember you in my prayers.

Anonymous replied on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 10:42am Permalink

Mariann Hjellum

Years ago when I would be visiting at his house I would love watching a movie or a TV show with him, he would turn off the sound and then ad-lib the show. It was soooo funny when he did that and I laughed til I cried. That was over 40 years ago and I still think of those times. RIP Richie, Sincerely, Marno

Anonymous replied on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 11:39am Permalink

tom boyle

Richie, Rest in peace brother. You will be missed. Tom Boyle

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 9:03am Permalink

Paul A Dale

On behalf of the students. faculty and staff of Paradise Valley Community College (Phoenix, Arizona), please accept my condolences. Rich was a beloved adjunct faculty member in our administration of justice program.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 9:17am Permalink

Michelle Williams

I had the extreme honor to work with Richie for 10 years at Everest and PVCC as well. Everyone who came into contact with Richie was so extremely lucky. Our students who were able to take a class with Rich Solita will never forget it! Rich had a heart of solid gold! We may not have agreed on everything but this man was there for anyone who needed him. Just his smile would light up a room and the jokes and stories, well they were never-ending, I think this is what I will miss most. Richie thank you for being uncompromisingly you! My heart aches as the world has lost such a genuine soul! I hope your family knows we are all here in Arizona for them!

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 10:14am Permalink

Paul and Ceal Balzano

Our condolences to Richie’s family, our family had so many great times with Richie when he lived next door here in Chicago , and also with him and his family when visiting him in Arizona. RIP Richie

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 5:02pm Permalink

Anthony & Gloria Mele

I”m very sorry to hear that Rich had past away. Rich and I grew up together. Both he and I graduated from Grade School (Ryerson)and St. Philip (HighSchool). He and I grew up on the West Side of Chicago. Knowing each other as long as we did makes feel like I lost a brother I will miss him May God Bless and keep him.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 5:03pm Permalink

Anthony & Gloria Mele

I”m very sorry to hear that Rich had past away. Rich and I grew up together. Both he and I graduated from Grade School (Ryerson)and St. Philip (HighSchool). He and I grew up on the West Side of Chicago. Knowing each other as long as we did makes feel like I lost a brother I will miss him May God Bless and keep him.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 5:49pm Permalink

Ana Arizaga

Such an honor having him as my instructor in college, great role model. I’ll never forget all the stories he shared with us and all the laughs we had in class. Very lucky to have met such a wonderful person! My Condolences to his family.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 6:08pm Permalink

Carina Contreras

Mr. Solita I just want to thank you for being such an amazing person. You impacted so many of us in such a strong and positive way. The lessons you taught us go beyond the classroom and for that I will always be grateful.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 7:27pm Permalink

Danielle Whitney "D"

Mr. Solita what can I say? You were a GREAT teacher and I'll never forget the lessons me taught me and the laughs we had in class. I loved the book you wrote and to this day have read it multiple times. You had the biggest heart and cared about all your students. Thank you for being you. My prayers go out to your family you will be missed.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 8:03pm Permalink

Hoffman's

Richie will be missed very much. It was always good to see him every Friday and Saturday at Padre Murphy's where we talked.

Anonymous replied on Tue, 09/21/2021 - 7:36am Permalink

Timothy Newton

Sorry to hear of his passing. Mr. Solita was a great college instructor and his book inspired me to become an author as well. RIP

Anonymous replied on Tue, 09/21/2021 - 7:37am Permalink

Timothy Newton

Sorry to hear of his passing. Mr. Solita was a great college instructor and his book inspired me to become an author as well. RIP

Anonymous replied on Sat, 10/15/2022 - 6:47am Permalink

Heather Vance Vargas

I am way late to this and I apologize. I was just telling a story about Mr. Solita and had to google him. I am very sad to learn about his passing. He was my professor in college and thanks to him I ended up working in LE and have done so for almost 17 years. I retire in 3 years and he was a HUGE part of my success. He was always one of my favorite people on the planet. Pulling up to school in his porsche. His stories, his book. Just everything about him. I am so sorry to his family. Mr. Solita... I've never forgotten "People will always do what people always do." I've lived by that and it's saved me more than once. I love you Sir. Always and forever. Much respect. Thanks for touching our lives in only a way you could. To his family: I'm so sorry I didn't know sooner. (I live in AZ) I would've been there for sure. He was an amazing soul he touched many lives. Thank you for sharing him. Love and Respect: Heather

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