Ralph Vincent Scala Jr.

Ralph Vincent Scala, Jr., born June 11, 1962, passed away on November 30, 2024, at home due to complications from his year-long battle with leukemia.
Ralph, or E.E. as he was affectionately known by his family, was a bright light in the lives of the many people who knew him. Ralph had an unparalleled ability to connect with people and build long lasting friendships. His magnetic energy and infectious laugh made people smile, brought people together, and turned countless strangers into lifelong friends within minutes.
Born in Binghamton, NY, to Shirley and Ralph Scala, Sr., Ralph's childhood was rooted in the strong family relationships he had with his parents, sisters and brother. Their home was filled with much love and laughter. Ralph's love of cars began at the age of five with a gift of his first Matchbox car. The collection continued and became the interest of all the neighborhood kids who gravitated to his home in hopes of playing with the cars. Ralph loved like no other and extended that love and support to his nieces and nephews. He was the "fun uncle" who initiated carpool karaoke, dance parties and, when age appropriate, fine wine. He attended SUNY Binghamton where he received his undergraduate in engineering and his Master's of Business Administration (MBA). While in school he worked in the university's development office.
After graduation, Ralph started his career at the Dover Corporation. Shortly thereafter he was at a dinner where he sat next to a development officer at Cornell University. Charmed and engaged by Ralph, she suggested he come work at Cornell's development office – and his career took off. Ralph spent the next three and a half decades working at the most prestigious institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, Brown, MIT, Cal Berkeley, and, for the last seven years, Columbia University. During his illustrious career, he also spent time at The Boston Ballet and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
In 2001, Ralph met the love of his life Craig Hazenfield in Provincetown, MA. There was an immediate and deep connection. They married in 2006 after gay marriage was legalized in Massachusetts. Their life together was one of love, adventure, and fun. During nearly a quarter of a century together, they traveled the world, renovated beautiful homes, and hosted many countless dinner parties, which inevitably ended with a dance party featuring Ralph's famous "pop & drop" dance move. What bonded Ralph and Craig were their common values, devotion to their families, and their undying love for their goldendoodle Bruno.
Ralph was passionate. Whatever he took on, he did so with intensity and commitment. His early childhood love for cars never stopped. He could name the make, model, and year of a car from 100 yards away. This encyclopedic knowledge also extended to his love of the outdoors. He could easily identify innumerable bird, flower, and tree species. He also loved gardening, often rising at the crack of dawn to spend time clipping, pruning, or rearranging his beautiful gardens. There was nothing Ralph took on that he didn't pour his heart and soul into.
Ralph is survived by his husband Craig of Wayland, MA and Shelter Island, NY; his sisters and brothers-in-law Shirley & Michael Simeck and Susan & William Hiza (all of Binghamton, NY); his nieces and nephews and their spouses Michael & Katie Simeck (Windsor, NY), Matthew & Sarah Simeck (Windsor, NY), Samantha & Cory Goodenough (Boston, MA), Allison Hiza & her partner Michael Potenzino (Binghamton, NY), JP Scala (Scotia, NY), Gina Scala (Schenectady NY), Chris Camadella & Marika Briggs (Danby, NY); and his many great nieces and nephews. He was also beloved by his in-laws Phillip & Carol Hazenfield (Decatur, IL), Kelly Hazenfield (Huntley, IL) and Jackson Gardner (Huntley, IL). Ralph's death was preceded by his parents and his brother John Paul Scala, who passed away from leukemia in 2017.
At Ralph's request, funeral services will be private.
For anyone wishing to honor his life, Ralph asked that gifts be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research and patient care. Gifts can be made in Ralph's memory at:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
P.O. Box 849168
Boston, MA 02284
or via dana-farber.org/gift.
Anyone who knows Ralph knows of his love for classic disco music and the pop music divas. During his battle this year, Ralph found inspiration in the music he loved – I Will Survive, Strong Enough, and I Want to Dance with Somebody. Let those songs forever be reminders of the incredibly strong, deeply passionate, and one-of-a-kind Ralph Scala.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.