For Shawn

Operation Stand Down RI and Home Depot last week dedicated a bench at the Holly Charette home on Milton Street to Shawn Riccio, a Woonsocket resident and OSDRI volunteer who was tragically killed in an accident on Route 295 in Johnston earlier this month.

Riccio, 36, worked as an assistant manager at Home Depot’s Johnston location, and had spearheaded efforts to renovate and beautify the Holly Charette home for female veterans. He had volunteered with OSDRI for more than three years, and was also involved in an earlier beautification project at the organization’s Westerly property. He is survived by a wife and three sons.

“It was really near and dear to Shawn’s heart,” said Dee DeQuattro, OSDRI’s communications and development director, of the improvement project at the Charette home. “Holly had a really vivacious spirit, and so did Shawn.”

“Every time I walk my store, his memory comes up,” said John Scanlon, supervisor at the Smithfield Home Depot where Riccio previously worked. “He was just a very good friend.”