Ralph F. Jasinski

1932 - 2014
Ralph F. Jasinski, 82, of Manchester, NH, died peacefully, July 14, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a period of declining health.

Born in Minneapolis, MN on May 20, 1932, Ralph was the son of the late Stanley and Irene (Stylski) Jasinski. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1954. Upon graduation, Ralph began his long career in the emerging field of aerospace engineering with Lear Siegler in Grand Rapids, MI, but returned to the Minneapolis area where he spent twenty years in the avionics group at Honeywell. Later, he was director of marketing in the defense arena with Northrup Corporation, Norwood, MA.

Throughout Ralph's life, he was a passionate and tireless supporter of amateur athletics. In his early years, he served as a recreation leader with the Minneapolis Parks Board. He was a member of his undefeated high school football team and twice represented Minnesota at the World Softball Tournament. Later, while serving as a youth coach, he was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award by the local chapter of the Jaycees for his work to improve facilities, finances and administration across the full range of youth sports in the community.

More notably, Ralph played a significant role in the development of amateur hockey in the US. He was elected director of Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association in 1971, where he served as president from 1978 to 1980. In 1980, he became the Minnesota representative to the US Amateur Hockey Association and was co-developer of the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, as well as the US Select Olympic ID Camps. In 1979, Ralph assumed the position of general manager with the 1980 US Olympic Ice Hockey Team, known as "The Miracle on Ice", which went on to win the gold medal in Lake Placid.

Family members include his wife of fifty-nine years and high school sweetheart, Ruth (Johnson) Jasinski of Manchester; three sons, Thomas Jasinski and his wife, Susan, John Jasinski, and James Jasinski and his wife, Mary Anne; his daughter, Nancy Lotane and her husband Philip; his five grandchildren, Eric, Ariel, Katie, Charlie, and Anna. He was predeceased by his brother, Edmund Jasinski.

Services: Following cremation, a funeral will be held Saturday at 10AM with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10AM in the chapel of Saint Joseph Cathedral, Lowell Street, Manchester, NH.

Memorial donations may be made to the Edison Class of 1950 Scholarship Fund, c/o Minneapolis Foundation, 811 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55402.

For more information: www.connorhealy.com