Gloria J. (Porto) Lariccia, 84, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY she was the daughter of the late Gaspare and Frances (Corsaro) Porto.

Gloria was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY. She graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1950 and later Buffalo State College where she earned both a Bachelors and Masters Degree. She had a lengthy career that began as a teacher for 12 years at Niagara Wheatfield High School where she mentored many of the students and coached the cheerleading team. She later became the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Wheatfield for 20 years and was instrumental in the creation of the recreation department, the Latch Key and Senior Meal programs and coached 'Gloria's Gorilla's' softball team. Gloria was a member of the Red Hatters and in her leisure time enjoyed golfing and traveling.

Gloria was predeceased by her husband Dominic Lariccia on February 8, 2012. She is survived by four daughters Jeanne (Greg) Shaw, Lisa (Joe DeMarco) Lariccia, Patricia Lariccia and Karen (Paul) Nanula; four grandchildren Michael Shaw, Briana Ponce, Kerri Nanula and Nicole (Paul) Bonito; one great granddaughter Mia Lariccia; three sisters Nancy (late Lawrence) Albee, Catherine (Frank) Martinez and Tootsie (Al) Clark (late Cliff) Gregg; one brother, Gabriel (Josephine) Porto and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by one brother James (late Regina) Porto, two sisters Margaret Vaccarella and Jeanne Porto.

Visitation will be on Friday from 4 – 8 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 28th at 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace Church, 1055 N. Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. Flowers are graciously declined. Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 331 Alberta Drive, Amherst, NY 14226. Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online guest register.