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BORN
1937
DIED
2019
Ralph Alfieri Obituary
April 1, 1937 ~ March 13, 2019
Ralph Angelo Alfieri, 81, of Redmond, Washington passed away peacefully on March 13, 2019. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and mentor to those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Born in Seattle, Washington on April 1, 1937 to Ralph Alfieri and Angelina Marra Alfieri, he was raised in a large Italian immigrant community in Seattle known as "Garlic Gulch." As a boy he learned the value of hard work by earning five cents for every case he stocked in his parent's grocery store, and later he worked in their deli, Alfieri's Italian Foods.
Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Susan Catherine Bradley in 1957; they were married for 61 years. She was at his side as his devoted wife, legal assistant, and homemaker as they raised seven children together.
He attended Our Lady of Mount Virgin Elementary School, Seattle Prep High School and Gonzaga and Seattle Universities graduating in 1959 with a BA in English and philosophy, and graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 1965. While attending law school at night he worked various jobs; teaching English at St. Aloysius and even driving a cheese delivery truck to make ends meet. By graduation, he and Susan had five active and mischievous children, and a St. Bernard named Hilda. He worked as an Assistant Attorney General and then went into private practice in Seattle, retiring in 2005. He was a highly regarded attorney by his peers and clients alike.
Ralph and Susan traveled to Italy often. One notable visit took them to Morrone del Sannio, the birthplace of his father who came to Seattle through Ellis Island in 1924. A talented photographer, he published a book of his many photos taken on his trips to Italy. Ralph was also a voracious reader and prolific writer as well as a huge fan of Opera music, especially Pavarotti. An avid pilot, he enjoyed the tranquility and freedom of being up in the air. His children flew with him as often as they dared but were wary of the aerobatic maneuvers he loved so much.
He had a never-ending thirst for knowledge and encouraged his children and grandchildren to be creative and independent thinkers. He was an inspirational role model for his grandchildren and spent endless time sharing his life experiences with them. They all deeply appreciated his wisdom and advice, especially during their toughest times when he always knew the right words to say. His greatest gift was that of a mentor and teacher and it will live on in all who knew and loved him.
Ralph is survived by his wife Susan; children Christopher (Anne Marie), Mark (Robin), Lisa, Phillip (Kelly), Sarah (Darren) and Anthony (Claire); grandchildren Jamie, Nicholas, Anthony, Joey, Mikey, Andrew, Sophia, Gabe, Dominic, Vincent, Nicolas, Marco, Ashley, Adrian, AJ, Camala and Maci; and great-grandchild, Rowan. He is preceded in death by his son Jeff, his brother James, and parents Ralph and Angelina.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice c/o EvergreenHealth Foundation,12040 NE 128th St. MS #5, Kirkland, WA 98034 or donate online at www.evergreenhealthfoundation.com and designate your gift to Hospice Care. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Please sign Ralph's online guestbook at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Alfieri
Sponsored by The Family.
dale calkin
November 10, 2019
Ralph was an honorable man. He was ligament in his values and especially his religious belief. Great sense of humor too. I worked with him for 20 years. I miss his laugh and grit.
Margie Haralson
April 14, 2019
My condolences to the Alfieri family. I remember as a little girl going to the Alfieri store on Rainier Ave. and Ralph's father giving me a slice of salami (my favorite thing). I believe that my mother (Teresa D'Ambrosio Foccona) and Ralph's mother were relatives, possibly cousins. This goes back a long way.
April 11, 2019
Sue and family, Our condolences to all of you on Ralph's passing. It was a honor and a pleasure to have known him, He will be missed, Leah and Nick Fiorito
F&D
April 4, 2019
Our sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort in knowing that God collects our tears and is close to the brokenhearted ready to comfort us in our moment of need. - Psalm 56:8
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
April 1, 2019
Dear Susan, Lisa and Family,
We Sisters of the Holy Names send you our prayerful support at this time when Ralph begins a new life in God's Presence. May you know his living nearness often.
Mary Jane Lavelle-Poitry
March 31, 2019
Ralph, Sue & the Family were a wonderfully
complete package of generosity, love, and truth.
We admire and love them dearly.mjlp
David Poitry
March 31, 2019
Ralph will be sadly missed. He was a good friend to all. The world is a sadder place.
Enayat Aziz
March 27, 2019
I am saddened to hear of Ralph's passing - a great neighbor. We shared in the love of Red Brick Road and its history. I express my heartfelt condolences to Alfieri family and friends.
Robert Burdick
March 25, 2019
We met when Ralph needed a medical exam to maintain his private pilots license, and immediately bonded as fellow storeytellers. Be it airplanes, the clergy, medicine, law or the italian underworld one seldom knew if he was making things up or whether he had really experienced the prepostrous tales he was regaling you with---the best of the best.
March 25, 2019
It was a precious gift encounter a man of such knowledge,good spirit ,helpful and understanding he will be missed.My sincere condolences to the family.Luciano Bardinelli
Lisa Alfieri
March 25, 2019
Rosanne Conroy
March 25, 2019
What a beautiful tribute! I am so sad and sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I know he played such a central role in your family life. I have many fond memories of coming over to your house in Redmond in the late 70s and early 80s. I admired how engaged your mom and dad were with their kids and I truly enjoyed their company. I appreciated all the ways in which your parents prioritized their family traditions and cultural heritage (and yes, I remember your dad's love of Pavarotti!). The mention of the St. Bernard made me smile. Don't you have a very cute photo taken in Spokane of you older siblings as little kids, and the baby of the family at the time (maybe Lisa or Mark) was toppling over or near the St. Bernard? That was one of my favorite pictures in your family albums. :-) Your dad was a very articulate, intelligent and amusing man, and I'm sure his wife, family and friends will miss him dearly. His life force was so vivid that the afterglow will remain for many years in the memories of all who knew him and will be carried forward by his descendants. Sending you love and condolences during this time of loss.
Ella and Max
March 24, 2019
Dear Sue and family,
Our deepest condolences to you. Please call if we can help in any way.
Richard Powers
March 24, 2019
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of my dear friend Ralph Alfieri. Ralph and I worked together in the Seattle office of the Washington State Attorney General's Office in the late 1960's. During that time I very much savored and appreciated the free pizzas at his parents' Alfieri's Italian Foods deli in West Seattle. Ralph and I went into private law practice together in August of 1969. At the time Ralph already had a large following of potential clients, having worked in his off hours for his uncle Michael Alfieri and Michael's law partner Joe Moshetto.
Ralph was a very fine trial lawyer, having the half dozen or so important ingredients for trial work. He was a great, lovable bear. Everyone liked Ralph, which carried over to his rapport with the jurors in his trials. By watching him I learned critical "people skills" which I was able to put to good use in the development of my own law practice, which I utilize to this very day.
Ralph joins his brother Jim and Uncle Mike for a formidable, unbeatable legal team, "Up There."
March 24, 2019
Condolences to the Alfieri family. Growing up in Garlic Gulch myself and near the Alfieri store I have fond memories of the family.
Art Rosengren
Margaret Burnell
March 24, 2019
Dear Sue and family,
Of course I was saddened to see of Ralph's obituary in this mornings paper. I saw it just before I went to Mass this morning so you all were at the top of my prayers this morning. It was just this past week or 10 days I was talking to Anita Rydell about the old Holy Family Parents Club cook book and we were talking about her recipes and yours. We both wondered where you and Ralph were living. If the address I just looked up on the white pages is correct I live a little more than 5 miles from you up in Trilogy. Bill and I moved here almost 14 years which was just 2 years before he passed. I would love to give you a call one day soon and come visit.
Meanwhile you all remain in my prayers.
Love to all,
Margaret "DeLorenzo", "Bright" Burnell
John Ditore
March 24, 2019
Ralph was a good friend growing up and a credit to the Italian community. He will be missed.
John Welch
March 24, 2019
Nice memories of Ralphs gentle soul at Seattle Prep and his strong football presence. He also made great ravioli by hand on a large table. Such a gracious Italian host. Lunch conversations at La Spiga were exceptional. Ralph was very generous with sharing his photographic talents. He gave us a large photo of the Grand Canal in Venice that hangs in our cantina with other Italian photos.
Condolences...John and Sally Welch
March 24, 2019
Joan Dice
March 24, 2019
I remember the St Bernard's! We would have so much fun growing up and being around this fun family. Ralph and my father were best friends from Seattle Prep, Gonzaga and as we grew up. We all lost contact with my father, but Sue and Ralph and family we saw a lot growing up. RIP Ralph, you were a great man and so loved.
Michael Nelson
March 24, 2019
I am sorry for your familys loss. I appreciate having had the opportunity to know Ralph and his family. The Alfieri family is one of many that provided a sense of community for me as a child at Holy Family School. I have appreciated seeing your family members through the 50 plus years we have known each other.
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