Richard J. Ponteri Jr.

Richard J. Ponteri Jr., 62, of Natrona Heights, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, March 2, 2026. He was born August 3, 1963, in Natrona Heights to Lorraine (Taraszewski) Ponteri and the late Richard J. Ponteri Sr. Richard was a 1982 graduate of Freeport High School. Richard attended Heritage U.S.A. College for two years. He worked as a security guard at Allegheny Valley Hospital for 17 years, was the night auditor for Heritage U.S.A. and also worked for the Hyatt Hotel in South Carolina at the front desk where he met numerous movie stars. Richard also worked at his family's store in Natrona Heights, the Fast Track Nascar Store. He had a strong Christian faith. Richard was an avid Nascar fan,especially Jeff Gordon, was a strong conservative Republican and loved baseball, once pitching a no hitter. In addition to his mother listed above, Richard is survived by his wife of 18 years, Tami (McCain) Ponteri, brother, Scott (Darla) Ponteri, nieces, Malory, Jackie and Jennifer, nephews, Derek, Nicholas, Chris and Alex, brother-in-law, Chuck (Kathy) McCain Jr., sister-in-law, Tina (Chris) Brown, former sister-in-law, Taressa Knapp, uncles, Floyd "Bucky" (Cheryl) Taraszewski and Joe (Susan) Ponteri, aunt, Marlene Stanzione, numerous cousins and good friend, Tim Kaczmarek. In addition to his father listed above, Richard was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Theodore & Helen Taraszewski, paternal grandparents, Frank & Rose Ponteri, in-laws, Chuck & Rose McCain Sr. uncle, Thomas Stanzione and Tami's grandparents, Fred & Fran McCain.

Friends will be received on Friday from 3-7 p.m. in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where a funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Bob Waterloo. Burial will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Richard may be made to Evangel Heights Assembly of God, 120 Beale Road, Sarver, Pa. 16055. to send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.