Ralph Joseph Trapasso

Ralph Joseph Trapasso
Ralph Joseph Trapasso was born July 23, 1934 in Bridgeport CT, the sixth of eight children born to Giuseppe (Joseph) Trapasso and Beatrice DeRosa Trapasso. He attended Warren Harding High School, where he met Susan Nazaretian, the love of his life and wife of 69 years. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he attended the University of Bridgeport on the GI Bill, graduating in 1963. He began his teaching career that year at Central High School in Bridgeport, where he taught U.S. and world history to several generations of students. He was committed to improving education funding and working conditions for Bridgeport teachers, serving as an active member of the Bridgeport Education Association (BEA). As President, he led a one-day teachers' walk-out to demand increased funding for Bridgeport schools, and in 1978, was one of the first teachers arrested for striking, spending nearly three weeks at a National Guard camp in Windsor Locks.
Ralph was also an active member of the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension community, serving on the Parish Council and various committees over the years. He took special joy in being a grandfather to Mikel and Sonia and would often make the trip from Connecticut to Virginia to help when their dad was away on business. He would combine these trips with visits to DC landmarks and museums, discovering a new place every time.
Sadly, Ralph was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018. Despite this, he and Susan led a happy life in Stratford – watching old movies, singing along to familiar songs, and staying as close as possible, until cancer took Susan on August 27th . Now they are united again, forever in love.
Survivors include his daughter Beatrice Trapasso Dermer and her husband Charles Dermer, son Douglas Trapasso, grandson Mikel Dermer and his wife Sarah Yang Dermer, granddaughter Sonia Felice Perla and her husband Charles Perla, and sisters Rosalie Forte and Anita Kilcran.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 24, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Road, Trumbull. The funeral service will take place Thursday, September 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension, 1460 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, followed by burial at St. John's Cemetery in Monroe and a memorial lunch at the church.
In lieu of flower donations can be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension https://giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/acha.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.mullinsfh.com