Rev Msgr Richard S. Amico was the son of Sicilian immigrants Alfonso and Josephine Giovino Amico; He graduated from Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara University with a bachelor's degree and induction into the National Honor Society of Delta Epsilon Sigma. He continued studies at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, where he earned a master's degree in theology, and where he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, on June 16, 1960. He served on the Buffalo Missionary Apostolate at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Collins Center.
Msgr. Amico was assistant pastor at Coronation Parish, Buffalo; St. Joseph Parish, Niagara Falls; Holy Cross Parish, Buffalo; St. John Parish, Olean; and St. Joseph New Cathedral, Buffalo.
He served as pastor of Holy Trinity, Dunkirk; and St. Joseph, Niagara Falls, retiring in 2005.
During his 45 years in active ministry, Msgr. Amico was active in numerous diocesan projects and civic community organizations, serving on the Priest's Senate, regional coordinator of Northern Chautauqua County, and the board of trustees for Catholic Charities. He was also appointed to the Dunkirk Housing Authority.
In 1992, he was awarded the rare honor of Affiliate of the Barnabite Religious congregation and in 1999 the Jewel Award from the Pine Avenue Business Association in Niagara Falls. He was also a Member of the Knights of Columbus and the Cristoforo Colombo society of Niagara Falls.
In addition, Msgr. Amico had been director of the Diocesan Italian Apostolate, President of he Italian Vocations Commission, and a member of the Buffalo Mussomelese Cultural Society. He continued to be active in the planning committee for the Annual Feast of Our Lady of Miracles of Mussomeli. In 1978, he was special correspondent for the Buffalo News, covering the election of Pope John Paul I.