Obituary of Ralph F Venezia

Ralph Flavio Venezia, age 98, of Fairfield, CT was reunited with his beloved late wife of 69 years, Mary, in heaven on Valentine's Day. Ralph was born on June 7, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Raffaele Venezia and Rosina Di Giacomo. Ralph was predeceased by three brothers, William, Stephen, and Joseph. He is survived by his sister-in-law Anna DelGrande and brother-in-law's Silvio and William Francischiello. His memory will lovingly be remembered by his four children, Rosemary McCulloch, and her husband, Robert, of Southbury, CT, Ralph Venezia, and his wife, Marie, of Monroe, CT, Mary Ann Venezia, of Monroe, CT and Steven Venezia, and his wife, Sonia, of Fairfield, CT; 10 cherished grandchildren; Robert McCulloch, Richard and Jaclyn McCulloch, Steven and Gayle McCulloch, Jennifer Kinsella, James and Kathleen Kinsella, Marilyn and Matthew Holst, Gregory Kinsella, Valerie and James DeMarco, Ralph Venezia, Carolina and Robert Prendergast; 18 great-grandchildren; Madison and Amber McCulloch, Jake and Hailey McCulloch, Kayce McCulloch, Everett, Lucian, Finley and Cassian Holst, Hannah and Nora Sullivan, James, Maeve and Liam Kinsella, Raven, Julianna, Emily and Benjamin Prendergast. Ralph was a proud World War II veteran and a member of the Fairfield VFW. He served with the Army Airforce 7th Division as a radar operator stationed in Hawaii after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. While working at Commercial Shirt after returning home from Hawaii, Ralph met the love of his life, Mary, at a dual birthday celebration – they were born on the same day of the same year. Ralph and Mary were married in 1947, moved to Fairfield, CT in 1951 and lives in the same home since then. Ralph worked at Perkin Elmer until retirement. He loved spending time in St. Petersburg, Florida every winter as well as traveling to Europe, Hawaii and many other destinations across the U.S. Ralph loved fishing, boating, cooking and learning about his Italian ancestry which he was tremendously proud of. Most of all he, he treasured spending time with his family and friends. Ralph was a strong and modest man with the utmost integrity and passion for life. He was self-less and put everyone he loved above himself. Ralph was a loving and devoted husband, Father, Grandfather, brother and friend; he will be tremendously missed by his family and friends. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 1:30 pm in Lawncroft Cemetery, Black Rock Tpke. Fairfield with full Military Honors. Arrangements in the care of the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home. To sign an online register or get travel directions, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com