Ralph Paolinelli

Ralph Paolinelli, 79, of Fresno, California, was born on May 14, 1946, in Wuppertal Germany, and passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025, on Fresno, California with his wife Nora by his side.

Ralph was a devoted husband and father to his wife for fifty-nine years, Nora Paolinelli, and a loving father to Ralph and Eric. He leaves behind his five grandchildren, Gianna, Ryan, Talia, Matthew, and Jacob. His brother Kirk and his wife Karen, sister Monika and her husband John, his daughters-in-law Janelle and Debbie, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siter Angelica, and his parents, Geno and Vera Paolinelli.

Ralph attended Howard and La Vina Elementaries' before moving on to Madera High School where he played basketball and played trumpet in the renowned "Show Band of the Valley," under Alan Harkin. He graduated from Madera High School in 1964, earned his AA degree from Fresno City College in 1971, and later earned his bachelor's degree in mass communications from California State Fresno University in 1974.

Throughout his life, Ralph worked in a variety of professions including the Madera Tribune, Monty's Liquor, McMahan's Furniture, Internal Revenue Service and as a radio disc jockey at KXQR Radio in Clovis. In 1989 Ralph found his true calling in Technical Support at Sunrise Medical Quickie Motion Designs, and worked there for thirty years, where he enjoyed troubleshooting issues for customers and vendors in the medical device and wheelchair industry.

Ralphs' greatest joy were his family and grandchildren. He was a lifelong sport enthusiast, cheering for Fresno State, the San Francisco 49ers, and the San Francisco Giants. In his free time, he loved reading, comedies, and spending time with his sons and their families.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday August 27, 2025, from 4-7pm at Jay Chapel in Madera. A funeral service will be held on August 28, 2025, at 10am at Jay Chapel, with internment immediately after at Calvery Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.