Richard Fiola Retires After 22 Years of Service at St. Anthony’s

September 10, 2024

After 22 years of service, Richard Fiola, a maintenance technician at St. Anthony’s, retired last week. Richard began his journey at St. Anthony’s in 2001, right around the time of 9/11. He remembers the early days well, describing his experience as a collection of many small projects and daily tasks, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Richard learned the ins and outs of maintenance by working as a repairman under his father’s guidance, maintaining his parents’ properties. Before joining St. Anthony’s, Richard spent 20 years at Montgomery Ward, where he developed a strong background in customer service. These experiences shaped his approach to his role at St. Anthony’s, where he became known for his ability to solve problems and get things done.

Richard has always had a unique personality and a lot of character. Every Friday, he could be spotted wearing a different loud, bright Hawaiian shirt, bringing a bit of fun and color to the operations department. His sense of humor and approachable nature made him a bright light at St. Anthony’s, someone who could always lighten the mood with a quick joke or a friendly smile.

Throughout his time at St. Anthony’s, Richard saw many changes, including moving to new buildings and adapting to the organization’s evolving needs. Despite these shifts, his role in maintenance remained largely the same, focusing on keeping the facilities in good shape. Richard enjoyed the variety in his job—each day was different, and he loved the challenge of figuring out how to fix things.

When asked about his advice for new employees, Richard’s message was clear: patience is key. He believes that taking the time to understand the unique challenges of working at a nonprofit like St. Anthony’s is important, especially when it comes to navigating the different requirements and expectations of the job.

As Richard looks forward to retirement, he plans to stay busy with personal projects, focusing on maintenance work around his own property and spending more time in his garage woodworking shop. He’s particularly excited to use his lathe, a tool that allows him to craft unique wooden pieces, blending his creativity with his technical skills.

Richard hopes to be remembered by his colleagues as someone who was always ready to lend a hand and bring a bit of joy to the workplace. As he steps into retirement, his parting advice is a simple reminder of the value of patience—a quality that he’s found helpful throughout his many years at St. Anthony’s. And, of course, he encourages everyone to have a little fun along the way, perhaps with a bright Hawaiian shirt.s.