Ralph X Nardone

Ralph Xavier Nardone, age 100, of Laurel, Maryland passed away on November 4, 2024. He was born on January 15, 1924 in his beloved Westerly, RI,
His birth given name was Angelo Raffaele Nardone, which he later legally changed his name and went by the nick name: Rip.
Ralph was a first-generation Italian American. With his parents, Rocco (a stone mason) and Adelina (who managed the home and an enormous garden), Ralph grew up in an Italian neighborhood with his six sisters and older brother. The family lived on a dirt road, in a home with an outhouse, no refrigerator, and no television they never owned an automobile. But the family was filled with love and Ralph was the favorite.
He was an accomplished, professional musician; avid bridge player; tennis enthusiast; Red Sox, Patriots and lifelong (Boston) Braves fan; 70 year Equities Exchange investor; Income Tax preparation expert; Book Club leader; and Crossword puzzle virtuoso.
Ralph's big brother, Cicci bought him a saxophone, paid for his lessons and paid him to practice. Joining his first professional orchestra when he was just 14, Ralph continued to play music professionally and it ultimately helped pay his expenses at the University of RI. As a youngster, Ralph was a golf caddy, a summer construction worker, a fabric tanning technician and a lifeguard at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island.
Ralph was a dedicated scholar and leader at Westerly High School including Chief Editor, school newspaper, class photographer, business office manager, ran track and lettered in soccer. At URI, he was an officer in the ROTC and president of his fraternity. The first of his family to attend college, Ralph graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with Honors from University of Rhode Island in 1945.
In Ralph's professional career, he thrived as an Accountant, Auditor, Controller and Corporate Tax Manager for many Fortune Companies like GE, Columbia Records, Arther Andersen (his favorite) Dupont, Nuclear Fuel Services, Getty Oil and Texaco. His work took him all over the United States. In later years (including up to October 2024), Ralph referred to his daily, on-line, stock market investment trading as his occupation.
In addition to his career, Ralph dedicated himself to service. Service to his vocation including as President of the National Association of Accountants, Maryland Chapter, service to community as Little League Baseball Manager, Bowie Bridge Club President, and Business Manager for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Maryland Chapter, as well as lifelong service to the Catholic Church from altar boy at Immaculate Conception (Westerly, RI) to Parish Council President and Finance Committee Chair for 30 years at St. Ambrose (Cheverly, MD).
Organizations, Memberships, Church Participation includes: Lifelong Roman Catholic including St. Ambrose (Cheverly, MD); most recently, St. Nicholas Catholic Church (Laurel, MD); National Association of Accountants (Institute of Management Accounts); Tax Executive Institute; Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Maryland Chapter; Theta Chi Fraternity (URI Chapter); St. Vincent DePaul; Bowie Bridge Club; Montpelier Swim Club (Laurel, MD); and Ralston Straight Shooters Club.
Awards, Honors, and Achievements include: President, Parish Council, St. Ambrose Catholic Church (Cheverly, MD); President, Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Accountants; Finance Chairman, Mid-Maryland Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society; President, Bowie Bridge Club; Prayer Team Member, St. Nicholas Catholic Church; Head Coach, Little League Baseball (Albany, NY); President, Theta Chi Fraternity (URI Chapter); and Chair, Ruth and Ralph Nardone Scholarship, Westerly High School.
Ralph met his true love, Ruth Margaret Burns, an inspiring Irish beauty from Springfield Gardens, NY in 1953. They were married in 1956. For almost 50 years, theirs became an epic love story, and Ralph had a singular devotion to Ruth. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis before they met, Ruth's condition went into remission while she and Ralph raised their five children in Albany, NY and Cheverly, MD.
Despite many attempts at developmental therapies over the years, Ruth's condition advanced; Ralph was her devoted primary care giver. Transitions, feeding tubes, tracheotomy, bathing, all the complexities of care, Ralph faithfully performed them all until Ruth passed away in 2005.
Ralph is predeceased by his beloved wife: Ruth Burns Nardone; parents: Rocco Nardone and Erminia Adelina Antonino Nardone; brother; Gerard (Cicci) Nardone; four sisters: Mary Manette; Constance Bontempo; Palma Patterson; and Malinda Kupidlowski and one grandson: Angello Nimrod Gant.
Ralph showered his five children: Paul Burns Nardone (Linda); Clare Cullen Bennett (John); Jane Waters Mills (Charles); Mark Burns Nardone (Nita); and Nancy Leyden Gant (Edward), 22 grandchildren: Juliane Gallion (Connor); Theresa Nardone; Natali Portillo; Rachel Bennett (Edward); Jason Bennett (Agatha); Matthew Bennett; Kathryn Mills Frett; Lucy Mills Marx-Gibbons (Michael); Joseph Mills; Naomi Mills Derrick (Matthew); Nicholas Mills (Julia); Rocco Mills (Bridget); Suzannah Mills; Julia Nardone; Cara Nardone; Lawrence Gant (Louisa); Tabitha Gant Strobel (William); Xena Gant McWilliams (Warren); Quinton Gant; Cyrus Gant; Orion Gant; and Angello Gant; soon to be 12 great grandchildren: Kallan Frett; Keagan Frett; Grayson Marx-Gibbons; Abigail Derrick; Elliana Derrick; Nicholas Mills Jr.; David Mills; Jack Rafeal Mills; Simon Gant; Luna Strobel; and Zora Strobel; two sisters: Gilda Ahern (Westerly, RI); Louise Fusaro (Westerly, RI); and extended family and dear friends, with his time, many talents and steadfast love!
Wonderful memories include Ocean City vacations, Bird-N-Hand, PA family reunions, fun returns to Westerly to be with sisters Gilda and Louise, the Bowie Bridge Club, Montpelier Pool swim and social time, the family Book Club initiated during the Covid pandemic, crossword puzzle mastery, bowling birthday parties, and an unforgettable 90th birthday bash. Through all, Dad maintained his super sharp intellect and wonderful sense of humor.
For over 100 years, Ralph consistently gave back in service, in grace and in Love. He made positive change for so many that can never be unchanged. All along the way, Ralph selflessly modelled the ultimate example of what it means to be a husband, a father, a grandfather, a community leader, a man. We are truly blessed and grateful for every day, every moment we shared with him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Ralph to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Maryland Chapter.
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