- Date Of Death: August 26, 2015
- State: New Jersey
Ralph J. Stefanoni passed away peacefully Wednesday August 26, 2015 with his children at his side, under the care of Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice. He was 94. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he moved to Burlington as a child and remained a lifelong resident. He was a graduate of Wilbur Watts High School Class of 1939. Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served as a Staff Sergeant during World War II, being honorably discharged in 1946. He worked at the Public Service Electric and Gas Company in Burlington and Mercer Generating Stations, retiring after 33 years of service.
A long time and devoted member of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Ralph was active in the Knights of Columbus being a Fourth Degree Knight, a member of the Holy Name Society and the Young at Heart Senior Citizen’s Club. He was also a member of numerous local clubs and organizations throughout the area. Ralph was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He loved to take his wife Ida out for a Saturday night of dancing. He found much joy in spending time with his three granddaughters of whom he doted on from the time they were born. He loved to golf, most especially on his many golf trips with the Roma Club.
He also took pleasure in making frequent trips to Atlantic City and it was a sure bet that you could find he and Ida on Friday nights at Pete’s Pizza in Columbus with T.J. and Company. But it was the simple things in life like driving around Burlington in his Chevy and walking the riverfront promenade while smoking his favorite cigars that he so loved and that everyone will most remember him for. Preceded in death by his parents Giovanni and Madeline Stefanoni, his wife of 64 years Ida who died in March of this year, his brother Augustine and his grandson Tony Francesco, Jr.
He is survived by his children Dee Page (John), John Stefanoni, Anthony Francesco (Veronica), his grandchildren Kristi, Lauren and Dana Stefanoni, Richard Francesco (Jeanette), Loretta Gregory (Brian); his seven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; his daughter-in-law Donna Mathews; his sister Angeline Weidman, his brother Ollie Stefanoni; his sisters-in-law Mary Stefanoni and Margaret Stefanoni; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
