Richard Anthony Rinauro - Cardo

03/29/22
Richard Anthony Rinauro, our Cardo, born March 13th, 1991. Loving son to both Rick and Debbie Rinauro. Loving brother to Rheanna Rinauro and daddy to his precious baby boy, Rhett Jameson Rinauro.

Ricky was born in Fremont California where we lived for 3 years before moving to Almaden in 1994. Ricky loved all things two wheels. He started his love for motorcycles at the early age of 3 and never looked back. His early days were spent racing BMX and riding a three-wheeler around the property before transitioning to his first motorcycle, his PW50. When Ricky was 5, he raced for the first time on this little oval track inside a barn near San Jose Fairgrounds called “Barn Burners”. This was the beginning of a 20-year career in all thing’s moto-cross. Ricky’s teenage years were spent racing all over the US until he went pro in 2010, racing the AMA 250 Supercross lights class. Ricky raced professionally for 4 years before leaving the dirt and hitting the pavement on his FXR Harley Davidson that he began building back when he was sixteen. Ricky would spend most of his days riding and wrenching on all things motorcycle. Ricky was part of Straight UP San Jose, a motorcycle club where he and three of his close friends would travel around California to perform stunt shows at various bike events. Ricky also traveled all over the US with Unknown Industries performing stunt shows for Monster Energy at Sturgis, Supercross and NASCAR. His love for racing never really stopped as he would team up with Nick and Buddy from Unknown Industries to race for Sonoma Harley Davidson, Super Hooligans. This would take Ricky to his first X-Games event. This was one of the highlights of his career. He did not win main event but in his own words “My results may not have been the best but that’s why it’s called racing & gawd dammit It was FUNNN.”

Ricky was a hardworking & humble young man. He hated the spotlight! He never asked for anything from anyone and was always willing to give his time to anyone who needed it. Ricky created amazing friendships at an early age within the moto industry & because of these amazing friendships he had opportunities of a lifetime placed in his pathway. From being a proud rider for Honda’s test team in Japan, to being a part of the Red Bull, SCS Wraps, and Monster Energy families. He was an amazing athlete, talented & passionate about all things "Two-Wheels".

It was not always fun and games for Ricky. In between his love for Motorcycles Ricky spent his workdays as an HVAC technician while attending apprentice school at night. He was only months away from becoming a full-time HVAC Journeyman before passing away. He was so excited for the future, a future that would allow him to move to Montana to build a home for his family. Ricky became a daddy in August of 2021 to a little boy who he named, Rhett Jameson Rinauro. A perfect likeness to Ricky and his mom, JoJo Ortega.

It is really difficult to stop thinking about the day our loved one passed away. We naturally focus all of our efforts on that one day since it is the most terrible day of our lives, but for our loved one, it was just one day in a long life story. There was much more to Ricky's life than just the day he passed away. We make every effort to keep our son's life at the center of our attention, even though it is not always simple. We continue to focus on his life rather than the moment of his death in order to continue our grief process.

To every person who has taken the time (no matter how big or small) to reach out to our family to share sympathy, memories, love, and never-ending support for our son our, Richard Anthony, we say “THANK YOU.” You have no idea how much it means to us to have all of you in our lives. We could not have made it through this year without all of you.

We appreciate you taking the time to walk down memory lane through this Turning Hearts Medallion in honor of our son, our Cardo, our angel above Richard Anthony Rinauro. #forever429

Much love
The Rinauro Family