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Ralph Maffeo
10/11/1923 — 03/30/2005
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Brooklyn, New York
Ralph Maffeo
Ralph Maffeo, 81, of Richland, WA passed away peacefully from heart failure surrounded by his family on March 30, 2005 . Ralph was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 11, 1923 to George and Emma Sringuoli Maffeo. Ralph served for the U.S. Army during WWII stationed in Naples, Italy. He was very dedicated to the WWII Memorial and was selected as Regional Coordinator for the Tri-Cities area. He was invited and attended the inauguration ceremony held in Washington D.C. in May 2004. In 1952, Ralph married Gianna Lucia DiVirgilio in Casalbordino, Italy, and they settled in Richland, WA. Ralph started employment at the Hanford Project in 1952 as a chemical technician. He took pride in all aspects of the laboratory process. Ralph found great satisfaction from his employment from the national defense aspect and the security it provided for his family. Ralph was active in The National Management Association and a member of the Hanford Chapter Hall of Fame. Ralph retired as Senior Manager, 222-S labs at Purex in 1988. Ralph loved family gatherings and vacations, especially in Cannon Beach, Oregon. His many interests included cake decorating , photography, music, fishing, and above all gardening. Ralph devoted half the backyard to his garden and many fruit trees. He spent countless hours tending to the wide variety of his fruits and vegetables. Through his passion for gardening, Ralph was certified as a Master Gardener at WSU and taught at local schools. In addition to his parents, Ralph was proceeded in death by his grandson, Bryan Edward Randow. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gianna Lucia DiVirgilio Maffeo. Ralph is survived by his six children: Carmen Randow and her husband Cary of Olympia, WA; George Maffeo and his wife Barb of Newcastle, WA; Nina Camacho and her husband Oscar, of Caracas, Venezuela; Michael J. Maffeo of Pasco, WA; Juliana Burzynski and her husband Brad of Seattle, WA; John Maffeo and his wife Elyse also of Seattle. His loving grandchildren include: Mariesa and Stuart Randow, Alicia and Michael A. Maffeo, Astrid, Daniela, and Oscar A. Camacho, Amanda Maffeo, Isabella and Sophia Burzynski, and Emma Maffeo.
A Rosary will be held at Einans Funeral Home in Richland on Sunday, April 3rd at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland on Monday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jeremy Blanchard, Nikki, Cindy,Tracy, and the exceptional staff at the Critical Care Unit at Kadlec Hospital. The sensitive care given to him gave us peace and comfort during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ralphs name to the American Heart Association.
Papa, there are certain things I will remember whenever I think of you… it’s a free country and Capucceto Rosso. I am thankful for the time in which you and Nonna alllowed us to live in your home, because if it hadn’t been for that, I would have never been able to get to know you as well as I did and see what a wonderful person you were and still are. I am not sad, because I know that now with you in Heaven we are actually nearer to each than we were before.
I will always love and remember you
Daniela
Although it has been many years since I have seen you or your family I still felt it important to write.
You and Gianna were very special in my mother’s life. Since she is not here to speak for herself she has asked me to pass a message. “Dick and I welcome your company”.
For the Maffeo family, I am sorry for your loss.
Papa, not only will you be missed by all, but you will forever be remembered as a loving grandfather. Although we are far away you have always been very close in our hearts. Than you for all your love and lessons.
I love you very much,
Astrid
Uncle Ralph,
I am deeply saddened to see you go, but I know you are now safe in heaven. You, Aunty Gianna, Johnny, and the rest of entire family have always treated me as one of their own, and for that I am eternally grateful. I remember so many lovely things about you, but perhaps one of the most recent and most touching was your birthday greeting to me earlier this year, you spoke to me with such care and love, I was moved.
I remember many of your wonderful stories, and was always fascinated to hear you speak of your adventures during the war, which you were so passionate about. I will always have many fond memories of you, and I will continue to think of you with love and respect. You will be greatly missed.
All my love,
Neel
Dad,
You have taught me so much through the years. In death, you continue to teach me even more.
I am so proud of you for all that you’ve accomplished in your lifetime. I was honored to spend time with you in Washington D.C at the dedication of the WWII memorial.
I love you very much and miss you that much more.
I love you.
Johnny
I have such a wonderful memory of Ralph teaching a roomful of fellow workers and their spouses a most spirited Italian dance. At first, we were apprehensive but when Ralph’s persona and enthusiam kicked in, he was soon the maestro of a room filled with laughter and great fun. I’ll never foget that special evening. My sincere sympathy to Gianna and his family.
I was so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. I have been priveleged to meet and get to know you Mrs. Maffeo. You have always been so very warm and kind to my wife Janine Jordan, daughter Zoey and mother Lynne Salsbury. I extend my deepest sympaties to you. We’ve been friends with Juliana and her family — Brad and Isabella & Sophia ever since Isabella and my Zoey were born almost 8 years ago. Juliana you are a wonderful, warm, loving person and we wish we could be with your family and you to lend our support and extend our condolences personally.
To the entire extended Maffeo family your are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron Salsbury, Janine Jordan & Zoey Salsbury
Dear Gianna and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Although we recently moved, our hearts are still across the street from you. We sure will miss talking to Ralph and his proud tours of his garden.
Words come so hard at times like this but we would like you to know that we care, and share your tears.
Dean, Sue, Erin, and Scott
George and Family; I hope you and your family are able to remember all the pleasant and fond experiences you have had with your father. I know he must have been a good person to have raised so many children and grandchildren. Please accept my deepest sympathies in his passing.
Dear Giovanna and Family,
Please accept our sincere and deepest simpathy at this time of sorrow.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With love,
Salet & Ottavio Palucci
Dear Gianna and Family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Fond memories dear ones.
Love,
Nancy,Patrick and Timothy Austin
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow, and we share in your loss. Our consolation is that your beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather is in a better place and at peace. Most importantly he is with our Lord. We came to know Ralph through the wonderful stories Giavanna shared with us during her visits. Ralph was truly a remarkable, loving and caring person. You will cherish and carry his memories forever in your hearts.
God bless you all, and may He give you strength throughout this difficult time.
Love your cousins,
Sergio & Catherine Palucci
Ralph Maffeo left us with the memory of a man who lived for work,devoted to his family which has leaded with the joy and the severity of a just man.
Nicola , Anna , Gigi , Sara
Di Virgilio
To All of Ralph’s Family,
I met Ralph at 222-S in 1977
as a new chem. tech. I liked him right away. He was friendly and helpful to a new employee. After his retirement when we’d Ray Akita & myselfsee him he would remember us and tell us of his many travels. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Dad,
I know you are up in heaven planting the biggest garden with the best fruits and vegetables. I am so sad that you will not see Isabella and Sophia grow up, but so thankful of the time they had with you.
I love you Dad,
Julie
Papa, there are certain things I will remember whenever I think of you… it’s a free country and Capucceto Rosso. I am thankful for the time in which you and Nonna alllowed us to live in your home, because if it hadn’t been for that, I would have never been able to get to know you as well as I did and see what a wonderful person you were and still are. I am not sad, because I know that now with you in Heaven we are actually nearer to each than we were before.
I will always love and remember you
Daniela
Although it has been many years since I have seen you or your family I still felt it important to write.
You and Gianna were very special in my mother’s life. Since she is not here to speak for herself she has asked me to pass a message. “Dick and I welcome your company”.
For the Maffeo family, I am sorry for your loss.
Papa, not only will you be missed by all, but you will forever be remembered as a loving grandfather. Although we are far away you have always been very close in our hearts. Than you for all your love and lessons.
I love you very much,
Astrid
Uncle Ralph,
I am deeply saddened to see you go, but I know you are now safe in heaven. You, Aunty Gianna, Johnny, and the rest of entire family have always treated me as one of their own, and for that I am eternally grateful. I remember so many lovely things about you, but perhaps one of the most recent and most touching was your birthday greeting to me earlier this year, you spoke to me with such care and love, I was moved.
I remember many of your wonderful stories, and was always fascinated to hear you speak of your adventures during the war, which you were so passionate about. I will always have many fond memories of you, and I will continue to think of you with love and respect. You will be greatly missed.
All my love,
Neel
Dad,
You have taught me so much through the years. In death, you continue to teach me even more.
I am so proud of you for all that you’ve accomplished in your lifetime. I was honored to spend time with you in Washington D.C at the dedication of the WWII memorial.
I love you very much and miss you that much more.
I love you.
Johnny
I have such a wonderful memory of Ralph teaching a roomful of fellow workers and their spouses a most spirited Italian dance. At first, we were apprehensive but when Ralph’s persona and enthusiam kicked in, he was soon the maestro of a room filled with laughter and great fun. I’ll never foget that special evening. My sincere sympathy to Gianna and his family.
I was so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. I have been priveleged to meet and get to know you Mrs. Maffeo. You have always been so very warm and kind to my wife Janine Jordan, daughter Zoey and mother Lynne Salsbury. I extend my deepest sympaties to you. We’ve been friends with Juliana and her family — Brad and Isabella & Sophia ever since Isabella and my Zoey were born almost 8 years ago. Juliana you are a wonderful, warm, loving person and we wish we could be with your family and you to lend our support and extend our condolences personally.
To the entire extended Maffeo family your are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron Salsbury, Janine Jordan & Zoey Salsbury
Dear Gianna and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Although we recently moved, our hearts are still across the street from you. We sure will miss talking to Ralph and his proud tours of his garden.
Words come so hard at times like this but we would like you to know that we care, and share your tears.
Dean, Sue, Erin, and Scott
George and Family; I hope you and your family are able to remember all the pleasant and fond experiences you have had with your father. I know he must have been a good person to have raised so many children and grandchildren. Please accept my deepest sympathies in his passing.
Dear Giovanna and Family,
Please accept our sincere and deepest simpathy at this time of sorrow.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With love,
Salet & Ottavio Palucci
Dear Gianna and Family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Fond memories dear ones.
Love,
Nancy,Patrick and Timothy Austin
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow, and we share in your loss. Our consolation is that your beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather is in a better place and at peace. Most importantly he is with our Lord. We came to know Ralph through the wonderful stories Giavanna shared with us during her visits. Ralph was truly a remarkable, loving and caring person. You will cherish and carry his memories forever in your hearts.
God bless you all, and may He give you strength throughout this difficult time.
Love your cousins,
Sergio & Catherine Palucci
Ralph Maffeo left us with the memory of a man who lived for work,devoted to his family which has leaded with the joy and the severity of a just man.
Nicola , Anna , Gigi , Sara
Di Virgilio
To All of Ralph’s Family,
I met Ralph at 222-S in 1977
as a new chem. tech. I liked him right away. He was friendly and helpful to a new employee. After his retirement when we’d Ray Akita & myselfsee him he would remember us and tell us of his many travels. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Dad,
I know you are up in heaven planting the biggest garden with the best fruits and vegetables. I am so sad that you will not see Isabella and Sophia grow up, but so thankful of the time they had with you.
I love you Dad,
Julie
Gianna,
Ralph and his enthusiasm for life will be greatly missed.
Mart & Dee Young
Dear Gianna & Carmen
Even though we have not been in touch many years I still remember fondly Ralph & his garden & you Gianna cooking up wonderful things with them & then eating them at your lively table. I am sorry for your loss. DenisePhilip
With many prayers and love
Andy and Carlos
I am very proud to have known Ralph, both when we worked together at NMA and more recently raising funds and entering names in the new WWII Memorial. Ralph was a very dedicated ex-GI; we shared the same patriotic compassion. God Bless you Ralph and, old buddy, please accept my “final salute”. You served your country WELL. BB
We came to know Ralph through his lovely daughter Juliana. Not long after we met Julie we were welcomed into the entire Maffeo family. We remember Ralph for his vitality. At the age of 72 he stepped onto a jet ski and rode off onto the Hood Canal which reminded him and Gianna of the Mediterranean Sea. He loved to break bread with family and friends. Ralphs garden was inspirational and a great contributor to the amazing meals we enjoyed. We have never had such wonderful arugula as that which came from Ralphs garden. Our prayers and love go out to the entire Maffeo family. We share in your loss. There is comfort in knowing that Ralph will be with God eternally in His garden.
In these days two important persons have left the world, the Pope for the humanity, you for our hearts….dear uncle-friend.
We hope that one day we will come back to speak and to joke in a better world.
We’ll miss you…
Ralph was always a great neighbor and a good friend. We watched his family grow up on our street. Our hearts are with his family during this time of loss.
Guestbook for
Ralph Maffeo