Ralph J. Aquino Jr.

1929 - 2018

Ralph J. Aquino, Jr.

Middletown - Born August 4, 1929 in Buffalo, New York to his loving parents Ralph J. Aquino, Sr. and Lucille Ticchio Aquino. Ralph attended Holy Angels Grammar School and Holy Angels Collegiate Institute in Buffalo. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps from September 9, 1948 and received an honourable discharge on August 15, 1952 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. While stationed at Fort Monmouth, he met his future wife and love of his life Bette Kniffin of Fair Haven, NJ. They married June 16, 1951 settling in Middletown where they raised 7 children and cherished 63 years together. Ralph was employed by the Department of the Army in the US Army Signal School and the Communications & Electronics Command from August 26, 1952 to September 3, 1984 at Fort Monmouth, NJ. After retirement he was the Director of Security at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank from September 1984 to October 1996, NJ.

A great lover of outdoor pursuits, Ralph took up running in the early 1970's. As he always acknowledged, "With the loving support of his wife", he completed 50 marathons including 20 consecutive Boston Marathons completing his last Boston at the age of 65 in 3:08. He ran countless other half marathons and shorter distance runs. A devoted member of The Shore Athletic Club of New Jersey, he achieved the honour of being inducted to their Hall of Fame, Class of 2002, by Elliot Denman, as well as becoming Masters Companion for his outstanding and consistent performance in his age category receiving the Chris Malone Memorial Award. What is not stated in this list of accolades is the level of humility with which he lived his life. He was a beloved husband and father, a dedicated family man. He lived his life according to the example the church taught him. His religion was deeply important to him. The charitable Christian ethics were his model. He was a fair and steady person. He led with kindness, always willing to lend a hand. Service was a recurring thread. Ralph gave of his time and resources to always serve others before himself, improving the lives of all he cared for and those he never knew. He was a shining example of a human being and will remain in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. He was a parishioner at St. Agnes Parish in Atlantic Highlands where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and lector.

Ralph is predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Bette, his son John, and his siblings Marion Gianturco, Phyliss Lopardi, Lucille Pellegrino, and Vincent Aquino. Ralph is survived by his seven children Thomas Aquino of Chesapeake Bay, VA, Julianne McKinnon of Middletown, NJ, Dr. Marianne Reimer and husband Morgan Nhalpo of La Honda, CA, Ralph Aquino and wife Cathy of Middletown, NJ, Helen Aquino of Lake Mary, Florida, Lisa Aquino of Auckland, NZ, and Linda Aquino of Middletown, NJ, six grandchildren Melissa Gil, Valerie Aquino, Benjamin Aquino, Avery Mellinger, Kolisa Nhalpo, and Harley Dow, two great grandchildren Austin and Cadence GIl, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 22 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home in Middletown, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, Atlantic Highlands. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Father Flanagan's Boys Town, NE and St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT.