Ralph Roy Pettiford

Ralph Roy Pettiford was born on July 15, 1949 to Clara Pettiford and Roy Fowlkes.
He was educated in the Jersey City Public Schools and graduated from Lincoln High School. After high school, Ralph attended Rutgers University.
Ralph began his career working at the US State and Trust Company in New York City. This is when he unknowingly met the love of his life, Shirley Franklin. They both worked at the same company in different buildings and by happenstance would see each other on the train every day. Eventually they started dating, and were engaged for nine months and later they were married in 1972. From this union, two beautiful children were born, Tonja Sharisse and Sean "Hasani".
Ralph in his creative spirit decided to venture out and become an entrepreneur for a brief period. Shortly thereafter, he became an employee of the United States Postal Service Main Branch of the Newark District. During his tenure he became a Graphics Illustrator and was eventually promoted as head of the Art Department. While working at the Postal Service he received many commendations, awards, and bonuses for the significant contributions he made.
Ralph was generous with his talent and donated signage to community organizations. He was known far and wide for the beautiful banners, signs and lettering of vans, law offices, restaurants, businesses and churches throughout the state of New Jersey and branched out to other states.
Ralph was raised in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was ordained as a Deacon. He made many friends throughout the state and the country and served in various positions in the church. Most notably, Ralph served as the President of the New Jersey State Armour Bearers Young People's Union. In addition, he was a member of the Deacon's Union. He used his artistic gifts and served as the Publicity Consultant for the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. In this position he designed and produced all signage and banners for COOLJC 's Conventions. He primarily made signs for the (ABYPU) Armour Bearers Young People's Union, Sunday School, International Missionary Department, Deacons Union, Women's Council, and the International Youth Congress. Ralph enjoyed sharing his God given talents in every capacity. He was also blessed with talent in music, more specifically, playing the piano, organ and keyboards. Ralph thoroughly enjoyed sharing his musical gifts with everyone. Just to mention, he accompanied the Redemption Church of Christ for their annual concerts held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Ralph also played for various choirs and soloists in the Tri State Area. He was known to play everywhere he went, including the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia when he went for his treatment. It brought him such unspeakable joy to play music as people would gather around the piano and cheer him
on.
Ralph enjoyed music beyond the keyboards by creating tapes, CD's and playlists of his favorite genres of music and mailed them to his family and friends. He would take his playlists and portable speakers wherever he went, even to his doctors visits and hospital stays. The staff thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful music that was soothing and healing to the soul, as he would often say.
Ralph had impeccable taste in clothing, cars and food. He enjoyed wearing the finest quality of clothing, enjoyed fine dining, and was a car enthusiast. He thoroughly enjoyed attending auto shows at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. He specifically loved Mercedes Benz and became a member of the Mercedes Benz Club. He would attend their conventions and luncheons and would take several family members with him. Ralph was very intentional in everything he did and wanted to be fully knowledgeable about any topic. You could find him always updating his knowledge through reading, watching documentaries, political debates and discussions. He was always able to back up his thought process with facts. Ralph was a family man and had old school morals and standards. Over the years he would take family vacations to various destinations. He would literally plan out each day for the entire week. He was organized, methodical and neat to a fault. Anything out of order would disturb him. He felt so blessed with the birth of his grandchildren and great grandson. He enjoyed watching them grow and spending time together. He loved his family and friends and didn't mind traveling near and far to spend quality time with them. He had the most wonderful relationships with his cousins and siblings. His face would light up when his cousins and family members, in general, would call to check on him.
Ralph was kind, compassionate, accountable, dependable, and inspirational. Throughout his life he took things as they came by keeping an optimistic attitude seeing all the good that God had in store. This was evident throughout his long illness. He never complained, but rather always looked for a way forward, full of unwavering faith, hope and determination to beat the odds, and he did. Ralph was truly inspirational, and exuded a quiet strength. The "Miracle Man" as he was affectionately called by his wife Shirley, was simply one of a kind. His last words were: "GOD is good", I love you" to his wife, "I love you all", "I am a blessed man" among other things.
On June 11th, 2024 at Cooperman Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, Ralph made his peaceful transition surrounded by his loving family. He will be truly missed, and will forever be in our hearts.
Ralph was predeceased by his beloved parents Clara Pettiford-Roberson and Roy Fowlkes Jr. and his beloved daughter Tonja Pettiford, and four brothers, Lewatte (Billy) Pettiford, Timothy, Roy and Fennell Fowlkes.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife Shirley Pettiford, one son, Sean "Hasani"(Danielle) Pettiford; six grandchildren, Tania Imani Duplessis, Chadwyck Reed, Paris, Madison, Savannah and Sydney Pettiford; one great grandson Zephaniah Marley; six brothers: Ronald Pettiford, Edward Roberson, Reginald Roberson, Kevin Roberson, Derrick Fowlkes and Tyrone Fowlkes, six sisters: Beverly Pettiford, Wanda Roberson, Veronica Roberson, Tommerzine Murray, Vanissa Joseph and Robin Winters; three sisters in- law; Rose Greaves, Carolyn Dale (Cornelius), and Cheryl Pettiford, Two Brothers-in-law: Ramon Franklin and Kevin (Shana) Franklin. Three god children: Cyntrina Hall, Danielle Pettiford Woodley, JaRodd Pettiford. Two aunts, Mother Annie R. Pettiford and "Lacy" Pettiford, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other loving relatives and wonderful life long friends.