Jose Ricardo Tenorio Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jose Ricardo “Ricky” Tenorio came to the U.S. from Costa Rica at the age of 19, without money or roots here and knowing just one word of English: hamburger. He turned that into a loving family, a successful small business and a vast community of friends and loved ones. He also remained a cornerstone for his family in Costa Rica, where even as the baby of nine children he was a central figure for his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. He died on May 23, comforted in his final hours by his four children and wife. Born in San Jose, Costa Rica on Feb. 11, 1960, Ricky had a penchant for mischief that eventually led him to leave school and secretly save money to go to the United States and chase the American dream. He got on a plane to Washington D.C. in 1980 and, in a stroke of luck, started up a conversation with Leah Reosti in the Atlantic Garage parking lot where he worked. The two were married on June 19, 1982 and raised four children. Ricky spent 20 years working at Atlantic Garage, starting as a parking lot attendant and moving up to manager and supervisor. Along the way, he inherited a few lawns that Leah’s brothers cut in the Stratford Landing neighborhood in Alexandria, VA., and grew those few lawns into his own business, Tenorio’s Lawn Care, which serviced hundreds of customers over the years, many of whom became his friends. He had a genuine curiosity for people’s stories, which helped him form friendships with everyone from his senior citizen clients to the mail carrier to the lady at the deli counter at Safeway. He was the life of any party, and usually the best dancer at the salsa- and merengue-filled fiestas he loved. He pulled people to him with his positive energy and sense of humor. Those qualities also made him a tremendous grandfather, and he found his greatest joy in life in his final years playing with his six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claudio Tenorio and Elida Sanchez. He is survived by his wife, Leah; his daughter Dr. Sarah Kennealy and husband Kevin and their four children, Sam, Calvin, Kate and Jake (Titi); his son Paul and wife Nikki and their two children, Jane and Ben; his son Samuel; his son John and fiancé Ali Muir, his five brothers, Rafael (Felo), Tobias (Billo), Claudio (Cuki), Marco Tulio (Macho) and Victor Julio; and his three sisters, Flor, Ana and Marta Elena (Nena); and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Costa Rica and the U.S., all of whom he loved deeply. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 27 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church from 5-7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Another viewing will be held at Good Shepherd at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow. Interment at Mount Comfort Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Emergency Assistance Fund of Good Shepherd The visitation may be viewed at following link (https://youtu.be/dWlRk60jDB0) The service may be viewed at the following link (https://youtu.be/B9AGXOfUx3k)

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Jose Ricardo Tenorio

February 11, 1960 - May 23, 2022