Richie grew up in Venice, Florida, attending Epiphany Catholic School and Venice High School (Class of 1976). His family worked with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus during most of that time period. Venice was the Winter home of the Circus during that time. The Gaona family actually lived in Venice before being hired by Ringling Brothers, not known by the home town Circus, and were recruited while they were touring Europe.