Obituary: Ric Iannolino

Richard “Ric” Iannolino left Earth to “dance with the stars” at dawn on Sept.15, 2026, after a peaceful death at the Juneau Pioneer Home. His long journey with kidney disease and prostate cancer is over, leaving an eternal trail of his signature love, compassion and kindness for all.

Ric Iannolino

Ric was born Feb. 2, 1944, the first son of immigrant Sicilian parents Joseph and Mary Iannolino in Chicago. He moved to California with his family as a child. There, he graduated from California State University and started a lifelong commitment to serving at-risk children, youth and families, and social justice involvement. 

His love of kayaking brought him to Alaska in 1975 and he never left, never stopped kayaking. Ric was also a candlemaker, a gourmet cook, gardener, hiker, snowshoer, berry-picker, avid reader and conversationalist, especially around a dinner table. He had a hearty belly laugh, a mischievous smile, was moved to tears. He cherished silence and was a practicing Buddhist. Ric was adopted into both Lingit and Yupik families.

Notable employment: St. Jude Center, Juneau Teen Homes, Alaska Division of Family Youth Services (OCS) residential regulations writer, Bethel Group Home treatment director, substance abuse/mental health programs trainer for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Alaska governor’s equal employment opportunity training and support services trainer. Convergence Consulting was Ric’s consulting firm, providing cross-cultural, diversity EEO and ADA training for nonprofits and state/local organizations. 

Most notably: From 2001-2012, Ric was the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder interdisciplinary diagnostic clinic’s coordinator as a Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Circle of Cares Project employee. 

His important causes: Opposing the Vietnam War (and all that followed), Juneau Alliance For Mental Health Inc. (board), Alaskans for World Peace, Men Inc., founding member Juneau Hospice, Friends of Admiralty Island, Restorative Justice Re-entry Commission, State Park Advisory Board, Larger Funter Bay Working Group, Juneau FASD Community Working Group (member).

Ric was recognized March 24, 2020, in an Alaska State Legislature citation that noted: “For Ric, all people are equal and everyone in his eyes is worthy of love and compassion. Alaska is a better place because of Ric’s passion for justice, fairness and community well-being. He finds the best in all of us.”

Preceding Ric in death: His beloved Grandmother Badoli, parents Joseph Iannolino and Mary Iannolino (Badoli), brother Joe, Partner Martha Middlemist Kanuk, and her daughter Elena Diamond.

Surviving Ric: Sister Bev Motter, and her sons Jim and Michael.

Contributions in Ric’s honor can be made to Kuneix Hidi Northern Light United Church, the Shirley Jones Fund for FASD through the Juneau Community Foundation, Bartlett Home Health and Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life Potluck and Stories is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Kuneix Hidi Northern Light United Church, 400 W. 11th St., Juneau, AK 99801.