Richard “Richie” Creazzo, 61, of Saddle Brook, NJ (formerly of West Milford, NJ), passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026 leaving a legacy of hard work, a deep love for nature, and an open kitchen for everyone he knew. Born and raised in Ridgefield Park, NJ, he was the beloved son of the late Kathleen VanGeldren (formerly Creazzo, nee Browne) and the late Richard Creazzo.

For more than 30 years, Richie dedicated his career as an Operating Engineer for the Local 825 International Union of Operating Engineers in Springfield, NJ. Prior to his time with Local 825, he proudly worked with the New Jersey Building Laborers Statewide.

Richie was a man who truly found peace in the great outdoors. He loved being in nature, whether he was building fires or quietly feeding the deer. He spent his winters chasing snow on his snow mobile in Old Forge, NY, and his summers out on the water, Captaining his boat on Greenwood Lake, NJ. Closer to home, he loved gardening, carefully tending to his beautiful flowers and a vibrant fruit and vegetable garden. On warm summer days, you could often find him relaxing and enjoying life by the backyard pool.

A passionate foodie and exceptional cook, Richie was a true grill master who could cook anything on the grill. His happiest moments were spent preparing meals and feeding the people around him. When he wasn’t outside or in the kitchen, he loved unwinding as an avid fan of The History Channel, with a particular fondness for programs about aliens.

Richie had a kind heart, a loving spirit, and he was always the life of the party. He genuinely enjoyed gatherings, was incredibly fun to be around, and loved making people laugh. Richie’s children were always the center of his world. He loved his children more than anything else in life; they were constantly in his thoughts, and he deeply relished and treasured every single moment he spent with them. His warmth, generous spirit, and love for life will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of sitting at his table.

He is survived by his loving partner, Donna Spagnuolo; his two children, Casey Creazzo, and Richard Creazzo; and his siblings, Gina Bassano and her husband Keith, and Ragan VanGeldren and his wife Michele. He was predeceased by his fur babies Bella, Belle, Max, and Nutmeg who undoubtedly greeted him with wagging tails.

A Visitation in Richie’s honor will be held on Sunday, June 7th beginning at 2 P.M. and concluding at 6 P.M. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday June 8th, TBA at St. Francis R.C. Church, Ridgefield Park. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Saddle Brook.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Richie’s memory to the Humane Society of Bergen County at www.humanesocietybergen.org