Former Kiski Area teacher, Leechburg restaurateur Ricky Albert remembered for dedication to community

Frederick Wayne “Ricky” Albert, co-owner of Cicero’s Bar & Grill in Leechburg, died from covid-19 complications on Christmas morning.

He was 73.

News of his death spread quickly over the weekend in Leechburg, Allegheny Township and surrounding communities, where he is being remembered as a dedicated coach, educator and restaurateur.

“We opened Cicero’s in 2006 and I knew he touched a lot of lives, but I didn’t realize it was this many,” said Melinda Albert, Ricky’s longtime partner and wife of 17 years.

A recent social media post by Melinda Albert has garnered hundreds of comments from those extending their condolences.

“I want to thank the community from the bottom of my heart,” she said. “We have our Cicero’s family, in addition to our family, and the support through cards, food and phone calls has been such an outpouring.”

Melinda Albert described her husband as a “soulmate and best friend.”

She said her husband, an Alle-Kiski Valley native, worked tirelessly at Cicero’s.

“The joke about Cicero’s was he was the No. 1 bartender,” Melinda Albert said.

She said the covid-19 restaurant shutdowns and restrictions were a source of concern for the couple.

“He always said we had to keep the business open because one of his biggest fears was their employees. He said those people that work for us are family, and they have mouths to feed and we need to keep them working,” Melinda Albert said.

Ricky previously owned Central, Ricky’s and End Zone eateries.

Cicero’s was open and offering take-out before Ricky Albert’s death, but has been closed for a few days while the family made funeral arrangements. It will reopen for take-out at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Raised in Apollo, Ricky Albert graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in education in 1969 and taught in both middle and elementary school grades for 35 years in the Kiski Area School District.

He coached football for the Kiski Cavaliers.

George Bella, 73, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., said he first met Ricky Albert when he was 5 years old.

“We lived about a block from each other,” Bella said.

Bella fondly recalled his friend’s infectious smile, adding, “He was a people person and he loved what he was doing.”

The friends attended IUP together and were college roommates.

Bella said he will miss weekend poolside gatherings at the Albert residence during the summer.

“He welcomed everyone and made you feel comfortable. Every Sunday it was like an open house at his pool,” he said.

Melinda Albert said her husband enjoyed wood crafting and took pride in designing what they dubbed the “Albert Resort” on the grounds of their Allegheny Township residence.

“We didn’t really get to go on vacation running a restaurant, so we would vacation in our back yard,” Melinda Albert said.

Memorial donations in honor of Albert can be dropped off or mailed beginning Jan. 7 to the Rick Albert Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First Commonwealth Bank, 1147 S. Leechburg Hill Rd., Leechburg, PA 15656.

Scholarships will be awarded to a graduating senior at both Kiski Area and Leechburg Area high schools.

A public farewell toast to honor Ricky’s life will be offered in the parking lot of Cicero’s on Wednesday starting at 5:15 p.m.