Dr. Ralph A. Bologna, a lifetime resident of Greenwich, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by family, on March 17, 2024, at age 96.
He was born February 12, 1928, to John and Anna Bologna, who immigrated from the town of Castelgrande, province of Potenza, Basilicata, Italy and founded the Furrier business at 40 Greenwich Avenue, where they raised Ralph and his three sisters.
Ralph attended Greenwich public schools, was a member of the Greenwich High School class of 1946 and graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1951. He was drafted for service during the Korean Conflict and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Bliss, Texas. Ralph served as an artillery officer in Korea, where he fought in the Battle of the Punchbowl, achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and received an honorable discharge. Ralph earned a degree at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and enjoyed a 41-year career as a trusted Optometrist in Greenwich.
He met Sheila Ringrose, then a sixth grade teacher at Glenville School, at a party for President Kennedy’s inauguration and they were married in 1962.
Like many other family members, Ralph was a talented musician who played trumpet with the GHS, U.B. and American Legion bands, and loved classical music and opera. A talented artist, Ralph resumed oil painting in recent years and was eager to share the pictures he created.
He was a member of the Rotary Club of Greenwich and a lifetime parishioner at St. Mary on the Avenue, where he sang in the choir for many years and served on the parish council. Ralph enjoyed cooking for his family, especially authentic Italian meals. He took several memorable trips with Sheila and other family members to Ireland and to visit relatives in Italy. Ralph will be remembered by family, friends, patients, and neighbors for his cheerful disposition and generosity.
In addition to his wife, Sheila, Ralph is survived by his sons, John (Patricia), Justin (Lisa) and Kenneth (Deirdre), grandchildren, Owen, Ryan, Robin, Ralph, Anne and Campbell, as well as his sisters Marie D’Elia and Tilda Fico and nieces Anita Walton (Bill), Jan Gray (Zeb), Joy D’Elia (Tom Bledsoe) and Sandra Fico-Charni (Drew). He was predeceased by his sister Josephine Tripodi and beloved nephews Rick Tripodi, Bob D’Elia, Joe D’Elia and Ralph Fico.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Wounded Warrior Project, https://www.
To honor Ralph’s life, family and friends will gather on Thursday, March 21 from 4:00-8:00pm at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich, (203) 869-5968.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Fri., March 22 at 11:00 am at St. Paul’s RC Church followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Greenwich.
For more information or to place an online condolence, www.coxeandgraziano.com