It is with great sadness that the family of Richard J. Cozza Jr. announce his passing on February 1, 2025. Rich was a longtime resident of White Plains, NY. He is survived by his wife Erika and their 3 children Aidan, Daniel and Emily, his mother Barbara Cozza and sister Denise Cherico.
Rich and Erika’s story began when they met in 1st grade at Mamaroneck Ave Elementary School. They officially started dating in their senior year of high school and never looked back. They continued through college at SUNY New Paltz, were married in 1999 and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in May of 2024. They were best friends and true soulmates.
Rich earned his undergraduate degree in molecular biology at SUNY New Paltz and his MBA at Mercy College. He worked in the telecommunications industry for many years before leaving to pursue his dream of opening a small business. In 2015, he and his brother-in-law John Cherico opened The Twisted Branch Olive Oil & Tap Room and Coffee Bar in Valhalla, NY. The shop operated successfully for nearly 10 years and in that time, Rich formed many close friendships and ties within the community. From the White Plains Farmer’s Market to the many vendor events that they participated in over the years, it was always about the wonderful people he would meet and relationships that were formed. The employees and friends of the Twisted Branch became family that he and Erika treasured. You could often find them drinking coffee at their tables outside visiting with the friends and family that would stop by. It was one of his great joys.
Rich also spent many years as a Cub Scout leader for Pack 5 and then a Boy Scout leader for Troop 73 in White Plains. He enjoyed going on the many camping and fishing trips adventures with them and he loved spending time with his children and the whole scouting family.
He was so incredibly proud of his 3 children and his niece Adriana Cherico and his nephew John Mattew Cherico. Rich will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend. He was kindhearted and caring, had a great sense of humor and a laugh that you could hear across the room. He was a solver of all problems and an authority on all subjects; confident but never arrogant. Humble and kind with the biggest heart imaginable. He is so loved and will be incredibly missed.
