Rico Policarpo

Rico Policarpo died peacefully on March 3, 2026, in Lake Country, BC.

He was born on October16, 1949 in Bari, Italy, the 12^th of 13 children of Michele and Filomena Policarpo.

Rico is survived by sons Alex in Calgary, Chris (Leah) in Lake Country) and daughter Megan (Dorian) in Phoenix, Arizona. He was Nonno to six grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Rafaela and Lea in Calgary and Rosa in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, as well as many nieces and nephews in Canada and Italy.

Rico began his lifelong tennis career as a ballboy on the clay courts of Milan, Italy and grew up to become a touring professional with a huge forehand and serve. 

After emigrating to Calgary, Alberta in the early 70s, he founded the Rico Tennis Academy, later renamed The Tennis Academy, in South Glenmore Athletic Park.  Over 50 years later, it continues to be the second-largest public indoor tennis club in Western Canada. 

Rico built The Tennis Academy from the ground up, beginning with six indoor courts under an inflated tennis dome, known as “The Bubble”. The first clubhouse was a double-wide Atco trailer. It was the first tennis club in Calgary open to both members and public players.

Rico steadily grew the membership, the facility and the coaching staff and in 2000 expanded the club to 10 indoor courts with a two-storey clubhouse, a licensed lounge, restaurant and patio, a pro shop and full locker room facilities. 

Over the years, Rico taught and coached many thousands of tennis players, of all ages and abilities. He created round robin, league and inter-club programs and hosted many tournaments at club, local, provincial and national levels.

His junior training programs were renowned in the Canadian tennis community. He consistently produced Provincial and National Champions and helped many of his junior players win university tennis scholarships.

Rico was a pioneering and unforgettable figure in Canadian tennis. He leaves a 52-year legacy as an award-winning coach of provincial and national champions, who transformed Calgary into a competitive tennis centre and inspired generations of Albertans to play tennis and become lifelong fans of the sport.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-766-4400

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: