Ralph Del Colle

We miss Ralph at SPS. What a remarkable blessing he was!

Ralph was my oldest friend. We met in September 1968 while attending Xavier High School and went on to become friends and team mates on the Track and Cross Country squads. Though as seemingly different in temperament, interests and appearance as two boys could be, our friendship was based on deeper, stronger bonds. We kept in touch over the years and I always felt fortunate that he was interested in doing so. I am so sad at learning this news and feeling a small portion of the loss that Lee,...

Quite saddened by Ralph's passing. I will remember him as a kind, mild-mannered, gentleman with a marvelous intellect. He will surely be missed by many. Warm thoughts to Lee, Josh and Zoe.

Ralph and I were friends many, many years ago, even before he entered Union Theological Seminary. As often happens, we lost touch as the years went by. I have often thought of him over the years and only found out today of his passing. I was shocked and I grieve. I have spent the day remembering him. He was loved by the people he touched and he was brilliant. He will be missed by many. R.I.P. Ralph. Although we were friends for a brief time in life, you were a signficant part of my...

Although I had only spoken with Ralph a few times, most recently in Washington at the end of May, I feel a great loss at his passing. I had heard from so many people of the great respect they had for his scholarship, learning and holiness, and I found the same in getting to know him so briefly.
Please know that we are keeping all of his family in our prayers.

Ralph was a great friend and blessing in the Scociety for Pentecostal Studies. He was the embodiment of Jesus' prayer that we all may be one!

To my longtime and dear friend Lee, and to Josh and Zoe:

The depth of sorrow is overwhelming now, but even death can't break the bonds of love. During the last few weeks you had something precious: you had time to express your love to Ralph and to share goodbyes. He always will be with you – in spring snowdrops, the whisper of a fall breeze, a V of migrating geese, and in the smiles of your children and grandchildren. He will come to you in your dreams to guide and comfort you....

I had the privilege of being associated with Ralph through both the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue and the Society for Pentecostal Studies. In our many discussions Ralph always exemplified the highest standards of rigorous thought and Christian charity, even though I often exasperated him. He was a model dialogue partner, and our future discussions will be diminished by his absence. One comfort is that he will be in that "great cloud of witnesses" who look down on what we do and root for us...

Remembering all of Ralph's contributions to St. Sebastian Parish. You are all in our prayers.