Deacon Ricardo Arias
March 4, 1953 - March 26, 2017
Beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, friend and Server of the Lord, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 surrounded by his wife, Esperanza, family and many friends. Ricardo was born on March 4, 1953 in Cartago, Colombia.
He married the love of his life, Esperanza Nuñez, on March 6, 1976, and together they created a wonderful family consisting of their loving son, Juan Pablo (Shawntai) and four beautiful grandchildren, Dominic, Andreiz, Ricardo and Amelia (his princess). He was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Salt Lake City on January 24, 2004 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine by Bishop George H. Niederauer. He has served as a Deacon at Sacred Heart Church, Salt Lake City, Saint Joseph Church, Ogden, Saints Peter and Paul Church, West Valley City, and in the Vocations Office as Associate and Director. Ricardo was a true gentleman, in every sense of the word, and a faithful husband, deacon, and disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Ricardo is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren; parents Magnolia Martinez and Guillermo Arias, Sr.; his siblings Maria Eugenia, Nora Elena, Carlos Eduardo and Martha Lucia and a loving, extended family too numerous to name but always in his heart. Preceded in death by his brother Guillermo.
We will be eternally grateful for Ricardo's unconditional love and presence in our lives. We will lovingly honor his legacy of love for the Lord, love for family, and respect and service to all. We will carry my husband, my father, our grandfather and our friend in our hearts. Our actions will continue to be as his, full of love, integrity, honesty and of humble heart. We thank all who have comforted and consoled us during this difficult time and together with great sadness we will celebrate his life as we send Ricardo off to walk in the presence of the Lord.
Requiescat Deacon Ricardo in pace.
A vigil and viewing will be held on Thursday, March 30th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 31st at 1:00 PM at Cathedral of the Madeleine Catholic Church, 331 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. Graveside committal to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Ave. T Street, Salt Lake City.
In Loving Memory
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arias Family. What a beautiful man and God's servant! Peace.
George Starks
Anacortes, WA
Dear Esperanza and family, We were saddened to read of Ricardo's passing today. He was a great guy and it was a pleasure to know him .We were fortunate to have worked with him at St. Peter and Paul's. May God Bless and keep him in the hollow of His hand. Charlie & Kozette
Charles & Kozette Nowell
South Jordan, Ut