Ralph Lalli
Raffaele (Ralph) Lalli passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021. He was 88 years of age. Born in Bristol, PA and son of the late Filomeno and Anna Lalli, he has been a lifelong resident of Bristol Borough.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Josephine (nee Tosti) Lalli, with whom he was inseparable since they met in 10 th grade; his loving children Raphael (Pat), Joanna (Paul), Michael (Maryanne) and Gregg (Diane). He was predeceased by his Son-in-law Rich Abbott.
Ralph was especially close with and is also survived by his twin brothers Nicholas (Pat) and Albert (Sharon), and to his Brothers and Sisters-in-law Rich(d.), Shirley, Pat(d.), Tookie, Bob, Bill, Andi, Eddie, Gary and their spouses.
In addition, he is survived by his loving grandchildren Christa Glitzer (Greg), Ralph Lalli, Michael Lalli (Joanne), Erica Rudesyle (Tom), Gregg Lalli Jr. (Erica), Megan Longo (Corey), Richard Abbott (Karly), John Lalli (Devyn), Melissa Keogh (Tom), Michael Abbott, Adriana Lalli (Tim), and 20 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was a 1950 graduate of North Catholic High School and attended LaSalle College. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Cold War as a radio control operator stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. After his service he spent most of his working life at the Philadelphia Shipyard, 5 th Dimension, and Nylomatic.
As a young man, Ralph enjoyed going to dances in Bristol with his friends and cousins, and at times crashing weddings just to dance. Ralph enjoyed playing sports from dawn to dusk and was the self-proclaimed greatest center fielder ever to come out of Bristol. Also, his love for music led him to join the Bracken Cadets, where he met the love of his life, Josephine.
As an adult, Ralph was active in school and community organizations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the St. Ann Home and School Association, The Guardians of the National Cemetery and his passion, the Bristol American Legion Post #382, where he was the Post Adjutant. He could always be found actively participating in Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies at the memorials throughout town. Ralph was a founding member of the Bristol Borough Veterans Memorial Committee and served one last time in the flag raising this past Memorial Day at the Harriman Veterans Memorial, completed in 2012.It is a legacy that he, his family members and the rest of the committee will leave to those who served and died from Bristol.
In his spare time, Ralph loved to attend and sing karaoke. He could move easily from Sinatra to Country to his favorite Italian song, Lazy Mary (Luna Mezza Mare). He, along with his beloved Jo, would also volunteer and read to the students at Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School. Some of the greatest joy in his life, as a loving family man, was to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Watching his grandchildren grow and play ball made him especially proud. He continued connecting with his 20 great-grandchildren (aged 10 to 2 weeks) by making finely crafted wooden toys for them to play with, and sometimes break, when they visited.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Monday, June 14, 2021, 11:00am at St. Ann Church, Bristol Borough. Interment will be held privately at a later date at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday evening 7-9:00pm and Monday morning 9:30-10:30am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children.
Viewing Hours
Sunday, June 13, 2021
7:00PM-9:00PM
Wade Funeral Home
1002 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007
Viewing Hours
Monday, June 14, 2021
9:30AM-10:30AM
Wade Funeral Home
1002 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007
Funeral Mass
Monday, June 14, 2021
11:00AM
St. Ann Church
357 Dorrance St, Bristol, PA 19007