Ralph Minopoli
Ralph Albert Minopoli of Charlestown, RI passed away peacefully while in the care of his devoted wife Mary (Canevari) of 65 years, and loving daughter, Elene. The son of Albert and Mary (Colonnese) was born on 13 February 1930. He attended St. Augustine School, Central High School 1949, and UCONN School of Pharmacy 1953. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he began his career at the Ethical Pharmacy. A few years later, he went on to become a teacher of science at Roger Ludlow High School for 30 years. Many students kept in touch and Ralph was deeply honored to be recognized as one of the three teachers mentioned in the speech by Dr. William Kaelin upon receiving the 2019 Noble Prize. His pharmacy career was still active at Switzers Pharmacy in Southport for 40 years. Upon retirement, he never forgot science and volunteered for the Salt Pond Coalition testing on Ninigret Pond in Charlestown. He and Mary became library volunteers and spent 20 years with the URI Master Gardener program. Ralph was an inspiration and teacher to his grandchildren as they frequently came to visit and went along on his and Mary's volunteer projects.
Ralph is survived by his wife Mary, their three children, Ralph Jr. with his wife Barbara, Mark with his wife Win, and Elene Moore with her husband Wayne. Ralph has seven grandchildren, Michael with his wife Clèm, and Dana Minopoli, Wade with his wife Stacy, Russell, Hayes, Colton and Keelea Moore, and one great-granddaughter, Violet Moore. He was truly blessed with his family and the care that they gave him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ralph's name to the Salt Pond Coalition at saltpondscoalition.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Connecticut Post on Jan. 11, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Minopoli

Sponsored by Luddy & Peterson's Funeral Home & Crematory.

13 Entries

Bonnie & Dick Patterson

January 5, 2025

When I think of Ralph and Mary, I'm reminded of the walks they often took together. Mary was always in the lead with Ralph following close behind. How many times a day they walked I never noticed. The salt pond was only a half mile away so it never took long. again.

elene moore

May 10, 2023

link to Dr. Kaelin's Nobel prize biography
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2019/kaelin/biographical/

Bonnie Patterson

January 5, 2023

Many happy memories about Ralph with Mary walking beside him, while going to the pond to check on things. Blessed to live near them, blessed to be called friends, blessed to "remember". RIP Ralph.

Ed Kozlowski

January 27, 2022

Mr. Minopoli was my high school chemistry teacher at Roger Ludlowe H.S. during my sophomore year, 1978-79. He had a reputation for being tough, but his students liked him. I just heard of his passing. My condolences to his family.

Gwen and Parker Ackley

January 21, 2022

We were very saddened of the news of Ralph´s passing. The loss of such a remarkable man marks one of the most profound rites of passage in life. He was a very intelligent and gentle man who has a legacy of several equally brilliant grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He raised an amazing daughter Elene who has taken exceptionally good care of him and her mother in her home. It was there that we would share the holidays and special occasions with Ralph, where he enjoyed stimulating conversations while feasting on a bounty of delicious homemade food. We know this is a very sad and difficult time for the Moore family. You have our very deepest sympathy.

Kristen Tagg(LePard)

January 21, 2022

Rest in peace Mr. Minopoli - across the street Charlestown, RI neighbor for many years. You shared your wisdom and gentleness with all of us and we appreciate you.

Mel Senator

January 15, 2022

Ralph and I were colleagues at RLHS for many dears. He was devoted to his students and enjoyed teaching. Ralph had a quiet sense of humor and a great smile. My condolences to the family. Rest In Peace, Ralph.

Elene Moore

January 14, 2022

So happy you came to Christmas dinner at Russell and Natalie's home just weeks before. You presided as the patriarch of the family and shared and enjoyed our feast and made sure to drink all the beer and good drink with all of us!
You passed from this world to the next, peacefully on January 8 in my home in Trumbull CT. Of course you picked a day that a great scientist also passed away upon, Galileo who was born on February 15, close to your February 13.
We all miss your guiding wisdom. Please forgive us for not mentioning your loving brother Carlo Minopoli and your faithful to the end little sister Ann Silva. I always loved hearing how Carlo met up with you during the Korean War when his US Navy ship landed in Japan and he found you at your post! What a fun night that must have been.
And Ann, who could ask for a more generous and loving sister who always visited and cared for you and your family.
When this pandemic passes soon, we will go to church at St Margarets on your birthday this year. We plan to celebrate your life when summer comes, a big party at my house.

Love you forever, Daddy, my best teacher!

Paul and Jan Sheinkopf

January 14, 2022

I am grateful for having such a wonderful neighbor and friend for 15 years and will miss the quiet and enjoyable times we spent together. Bless your soul Ralph. You were a great man.

Victoria Minopoli Emerson

January 13, 2022

Deepest Condolences from Our Family- So very Sorry May He Rest In Peace..

Anne & Joe Surber

January 12, 2022

We are so sorry for all the family - Mary, Ralph Jr., Mark & Elene & their spouses and children, and also his brother Carlo & sister Ann. Ralph is a great loss to them all, and to his many friends as well. We have many happy memories of being with Ralph and Mary on so many special occasions. I even had the honor of being asked to be the Godmother of their first born child, Ralph Jr. We go all the way back to when they first started dating! We all will miss his presence among us and we send our sympathy and prayers to all his loving & caring family. And caring they were! He was so fortunate to have such an affectionate & nurturing family. God Bless You Ralph, & all your loved ones.
With Much Love & Many Prayers,
Anne & Joe Surber

Bonnie & Dick Patterson

January 12, 2022

Thanks to the family for sharing Ralph all these years. He was a quiet, gentle soul and will be greatly missed.

Elizabeth Herron

January 11, 2022

What a truly gentle, inspiring, dedicated soul! I was fortunate to have gotten to known Ralph in his role as the volunteer coordinator for the Salt Ponds Watchers for several years. He worked hard to make sure that our instructions for volunteers were clear and understandable for those that did not have the strong science background that he had. He kept up his monitoring activities long after "retiring" as the coordinator. I will always remember him for his kindness and interest in the program and the world around him. We have truly lost a great one!

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