Rick DiPego, the founder of Fat Ricky’s Italian Restaurant, has died at 58, leaving behind a grieving family, employees and customers who knew him as more than just the man behind a popular local restaurant. His death was announced by the business on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, prompting tributes across Romeoville, Illinois, where he spent more than two decades building his restaurant and supporting the community.
DiPego, whose full name was Richard “Ricky” DiPego Jr., died on Monday, November 9, at UChicago Advent Hospital in Bolingbrook, Illinois, according to his obituary. No cause of death was provided. His passing came as a painful loss for those who had worked with him, shared meals at his restaurant or developed personal relationships with him over the years.
Fat Ricky’s announced the news in an emotional statement, describing DiPego as family rather than simply the founder of the business. The restaurant remembered him as someone who cared deeply about the people around him, supported his employees and customers, and made sure those close to him knew they had someone to lean on. The message reflected the kind of relationships he had built during his 21 years in business.
DiPego’s career in the restaurant industry started long before Fat Ricky’s became a familiar name in Romeoville. He began working at Portillo’s, where he eventually became the company’s youngest general manager. After spending 12 years there, he opened an Al’s Beef location in Warrenville. He later took another major step in 2005 when he established Fat Ricky’s Italian Restaurant in Romeoville.
His business continued to grow over the years. According to his obituary, he expanded his restaurant operation, developed Marcellino’s Custom Catering and opened additional restaurant locations in Tinley Park and Plainfield. His work reflected years of experience in the food business and the effort he put into building something that could serve customers across several communities.
But DiPego’s connection to Romeoville went well beyond the restaurant business. He established the village’s Hope for the Holiday food drive and sponsored the initiative for 21 years. The program became an important part of his community involvement, showing that his interest in helping people extended beyond those who walked through his restaurant doors.
Romeoville Mayor John Noak also paid tribute to DiPego, describing him as a friend, business leader and valued member of the community. Noak expressed deep sadness over his death, remembering the personal relationship they shared and the contribution DiPego made to the village. His words reflected a loss felt beyond the restaurant’s employees and regular customers.
Following the announcement, Fat Ricky’s said its Romeoville restaurant would close for several days to give employees and family members time to grieve. The business thanked customers who had supported Rick and the restaurant throughout its 21 years, asking them to keep his family and staff in their thoughts. It also said the next chapter of the business was still being considered, without announcing a reopening date.
DiPego leaves behind his wife, Erin; three sons, Jacob, Joshua and Jeremy; his mother, Arlene; his sister, Victory; and two grandsons, Hudson and Emmett. His obituary also remembers his late father, Richard DiPego. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 13, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Home in Plainfield.
A funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, November 14, at noon at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Romeoville. Family, friends and others who knew him will have an opportunity to gather and remember a man whose life was closely connected to his work and the people around him.
For those in Romeoville who knew Rick DiPego, his story is not limited to the restaurant he opened in 2005. It also includes the employees he supported, the customers who became familiar faces and the holiday food drive he kept sponsoring for more than two decades. He leaves behind a business built through years of hard work and a community that will remember his contribution. His family, friends, employees and everyone mourning his death are in our thoughts.