- August 12, 1935 - January 6, 2018
- Stoneham, Massachusetts
of Ralph's Passing
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Barile Funeral Home
482 Main Street
Stoneham,
MA
02180
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“Elaine, I am so sorry to hear about Ralph.Ralph was one of a kind and will truly be missed. No matter what life through at him, he was able to pull...Read More »
”
1 of 17 | Posted by: Dolores and Aldo Porziella - MA
“Ralph is a character and I enjoyed having him for a friend he will be missed.
”
2 of 17 | Posted by: Marsha Magliozzi & family
“Elaine,Sorry for your loss of Ralf I will always remember how he made me laugh and how I enjoyed his company Our thoughts are with you,Christine and...Read More »
”
3 of 17 | Posted by: Christine Macarthur - Exeter, NH
“Elaine,Very sorry to hear your loss, I read a lot of nice things about Ralph, may he rest in peace.
”
4 of 17 | Posted by: Kathy Asmar - Woburn, MA
“With Deepest Sympathy, our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family. Ralph will truly be missed, he was a Wonderful man.
”
5 of 17 | Posted by: Dawn & Richard Patnode - Reading, MA
“Ralph was such a wonderful friend. He was always there if you needed him and had such great stories. We always felt like we were in a movie with him...Read More »
”
6 of 17 | Posted by: Peter & Janet Stankiewicz - MA
“Ralph was such a great friend. Always there for you when you needed him. He was so much fun to be with, he always made us laugh, You felt like you...Read More »
”
7 of 17 | Posted by: Janet Stankiewicz - Wilmington, MA
“Elaine and family so sorry for your loss. you all are in my prayers and thoughts. Lots of great memories
”
8 of 17 | Posted by: Sue Mitchell - NAPLES, FL
“I am so sorry for your loss Elaine. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
”
9 of 17 | Posted by: Susan P. Gaskell, JD - Reading, MA
“Dear Elaine and family, So sorry to hear about Ralph's passing. We'll never forget the great times at Wells Beach and all the fun evenings we had...Read More »
”
10 of 17 | Posted by: Steve and Linda White - Melrose, MA
“Sorry for your loss
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11 of 17 | Posted by: Marlene from Angles Golf League - MA
“Ranzo family, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. He was an awesome and funny guy. He will be missed.Nancy Perez
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12 of 17 | Posted by: NANCY PEREZ - WILMINGTON, MA
“When I think of Ralph I think of two things....he was a class act always smiling., and he made the best Egg salad I have ever had! I still to this...Read More »
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13 of 17 | Posted by: Kerianne Capadanno - Tewksbury, MA
“Dear Elaine, I was so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. I used to really enjoy hanging out with him at the "Buckingham Palace Pool!" May he rest...Read More »
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14 of 17 | Posted by: Claudia Dupre - Brookline, MA
“Uncle Ralph, I will never forget the life size cardboard cut out of Cher that you gave me when her new album Dark Lady came out!!! It was one of the...Read More »
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15 of 17 | Posted by: Stephanie Ranzo - Medford, MA
“Elaine, qThe picture you have posted of Ralph is the way he looked any and every time I met him in the hallway of our building...I only know him with...Read More »
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16 of 17 | Posted by: Lee Maciel - Stoneham, MA
“What more is there to say than he w as 's a terrific guy what everyone ha's already posted us true. He will be sorely missed.
”
17 of 17 | Posted by: Rita Ranzo - Medford, MA - Family
Ralph Rinaldo Ranzo, 82, of Stoneham died peacefully at hospice in the company of family on January 6, 2018.
Born in New York City to Frank and Nancy Ranzo, his family moved to Boston's West End when he was a child. Ralph grew up in Boston and graduated, with honors, from the school of hard knocks. In 1957 he married, and is survived by his love Elaine Trupp of Somerville, MA.
Ralph successfully and happily raised his family in Everett and Winchester before he and Elaine moved their empty nest to Stoneham. Ralph was always passionate about music and entertainment. He began his working career as one half of a stand-up comedy duo in the 50's doing Martin and Lewis type routines in and around Boston. At that time, he also managed up-and-coming local singers and bands. He wasn't quite so shrewd in this endeavor. He once had the chance to represent Led Zeppelin in Boston but he didn't think they were very good and so passed on it, and his top singing prospect was more adept at robbing museums, so he decided to become a business owner instead. He became proprietor of a tobacco shop in Boston's South End, and then ultimately owning and running, with Elaine, Mattapan Records (aka Skippy White's) in Mattapan Square until his retirement. Ralph had a colorful life with many encounters with notorious Boston area factions due to his back-office business.
Ralph will be especially remembered for being a loving and generous husband and father. Though he had only a 9th grade education he was an adept family provider and enjoyed spoiling his family whenever he could. He was a very funny and witty man who often held court at social gatherings and around the pool at his condo. He loved warm weather vacations, the beach, casino gambling, fine dining, old movies, watching football, and engaging in lively conversation. Ralph and Elaine were accomplished ballroom dancers enjoying both dancing and teaching others. Ralph was known for always dressing sharply. Never in his life was he seen wearing jeans, and he even wore nice slacks and designer shoes when shoveling snow…he was one of a kind.
Survivors also include daughter Nancy Weil and her husband Michael of New Hampshire; son Ralph and his wife Patty of South Carolina; son Paul and his long-time partner Valerie Johnston of MA; and son Dean and his wife Emilie Richmond of MA. Ralph also leaves grandchildren Jessica Sullivan and her husband Ryan; Mikey Weil and his partner Jennifer Simpson; Jillian Westerfield and her husband David; Jena Ranzo, Elizabeth Ranzo, and Suzannah Ranzo. Ralph was fortunate to have also met great granddaughter Gianna. Ralph is survived by his only brother Domenic and his wife Rita of MA. Ralph was preceded in death by his younger sisters Nancy and Angela.
Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with the Family on Thursday, January 11th from 4 - 6:30pm with a Remembrance to be held at 6:30pm in the Barile Family Funeral Home 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM. Parking attendants and elevator are available.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Ralph's name.
For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome
Visitation
Thursday, January 11
4:00 PM
to 6:30 PM
Barile Family Funeral Home
482 Main Street
Stoneham, MA 02180
781.438.2280
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Remembrance
Thursday, January 11
6:30 PM
Barile Family Funeral Home
482 Main Street
Stoneham, MA 02180
781.438.2280
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Elaine, I am so sorry to hear about Ralph.
Ralph was one of a kind and will truly be missed. No matter what life through at him, he was able to pull himself up and never complained. There was never a dull moment when we got together with the two of you and we always enjoyed ourselves he will truly be missed. Ralph was one of a kind.
Dolores and Aldo Porziella
Posted by: Dolores and Aldo Porziella - Boston, MA - friend Jan 11, 2018
Ralph is a character and I enjoyed having him for a friend he will be missed.
Posted by: Marsha Magliozzi & family - Friend Jan 11, 2018
Elaine,
Sorry for your loss of Ralf I will always remember how he made me laugh and how I enjoyed his company
Our thoughts are with you,
Christine and Ken
Posted by: Christine Macarthur - Exeter, NH Jan 10, 2018
Elaine,
Very sorry to hear your loss, I read a lot of nice things about Ralph, may he rest in peace.
Posted by: Kathy Asmar - Woburn, MA Jan 10, 2018
With Deepest Sympathy, our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family. Ralph will truly be missed, he was a Wonderful man.
Posted by: Dawn & Richard Patnode - Reading, MA - friend Jan 10, 2018
Ralph was such a wonderful friend. He was always there if you needed him and had such great stories. We always felt like we were in a movie with him and he always made us laugh. You felt like Sinatra or Dean Martin would show up at any time. We have such great memories and he will sorely be missed.
Posted by: Peter & Janet Stankiewicz - Wilmingon, MA - Friend Jan 09, 2018
Ralph was such a great friend. Always there for you when you needed him. He was so much fun to be with, he always made us laugh, You felt like you were in a movie and thought Sinatra or Dean Martin were going to show up at any time. We have such great memories. He will be sorely missed.
Posted by: Janet Stankiewicz - Wilmington, MA Jan 09, 2018
Elaine and family so sorry for your loss. you all are in my prayers and thoughts. Lots of great memories
Posted by: Sue Mitchell - NAPLES, FL - Family Friend Jan 09, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss Elaine. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Susan P. Gaskell, JD - Reading, MA Jan 08, 2018
Dear Elaine and family,
So sorry to hear about Ralph's passing. We'll never forget the great times at Wells Beach and all the fun evenings we had ballroom dancing. Everyone at the dance parties loved Ralph, and he made a great impression on everyone he met.
He touched our lives more than you'll ever know.
Goodnight, Ralph. Don't forget to bring your dance shoes and start with your left foot!
Love,
Steve and Linda
Posted by: Steve and Linda White - Melrose, MA - Friend Jan 08, 2018