Ralph Michael GASPARELLO

GASPARELLO, Ralph Michael, age 62, died at his home in Merrick, Long Island, October 28, 2023 after a long illness. Ralph was surrounded by his family and friends, and serenaded in his last hours by his good friend, guitarist Sam Connor, on a beautiful late fall afternoon.

Ralph was born on April 22, 1961 in Hingham, MA. He attended Hingham public schools and Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, where he graduated with a B.A. in World Music. He was an avid, skilled musician, playing multiple instruments; noted especially for his skill on the upright and electric bass, and played in jazz venues, as well as the African Soukous bands, Kolo mboka Universal Citizen, Freestyle Candela, and Sankai. He was the co-founder, composer, co-writer and producer of the Haitian roots music band, Tjovi Ginen. In his musical career, he recorded numerous albums and toured throughout the United States, frequently performing in and around New England and New York City.

Ralph worked as a tech specialist at the Massachusetts Bar Association, where he met his beloved wife, Jenny Roberts, then for his parents' group travel company, NASTP, before starting his own company, Media Innovation Technology, developing all the presentational tech for large medical conferences around the United States. Ralph was kind, thoughtful, and a true Renaissance man, able to tackle any home task, computer issue, or gardening dilemma. His professional skills in video production made him the family tech guru. An adventurous amateur chef, willing to take on any cuisine, his skill in the kitchen was legendary amongst family and friends. Although he'd lived in Merrick for the last several years, as well as other parts of New York in the last two decades, he remained a stubbornly devout Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

Ralph was a true family man. Being a father to his treasured daughter was his greatest joy. He was the rock of his extended family, who depended on his wisdom, support, and advice no matter the topic. Selfless and generous, Ralph will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife, Jenny Roberts; daughter Jenny Gasparello; sisters, Linda Gasparello of Warwick, RI, Lisa Holt of Beaufort, SC, and Nina Moore of San Francisco; three sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, a great-nephew, cousins, and many friends in the music and technology worlds. He was predeceased by his beloved father, Ralph, Sr.; mother Joan; and sister Paula.

There will be a memorial celebrating Ralph's life in the spring of 2024. Donations in Ralph's memory can be made to the Network of Kreyol Schools, a charitable foundation supporting tuition-free education in Haiti.

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