Ralph ANDRADE

ANDRADE, Ralph
06/21/1919 - 12/26/2011

Ralph (Dad) found eternal peace after celebrating a final Christmas surrounded by his family, and tended to by his loving caregivers. He passed comfortably.

Born in Chicago, ILL, his father and mother, Sabas and Simona (Baldovino), moved the family west to eventually settle in Roseville, CA when Ralph was still a toddler, and there he would live the rest of his life. Sabas provided for his eight children - including Joe, Angela, Jennie, Pauline, Anne, Reyes & Frank - working for Southern Pacific Railroad, from which he eventually retired. On March 7, 1944 Ralph married the 'girl next door' (literally), Dolores (Morales) while on leave from the Air Force in a civil ceremony in Reno, NV. It was to be only his first tour of duty serving his country; he was again summoned to serve during the Korean conflict. Eventually, Ralph and Dolores were blessed with two sons, Ralph, Jr. and Rick. Upon his honorable release from military obligations he became a civil service employee with McClellan Air Force Base, retiring in 1976. He was a tireless father, teaching his boys skills in baseball, basketball and football, and coached others in Little League. He was an all-star athlete in his youth and continued to play outfield in adult softball leagues at Royer Park well into his thirties.

He was a graduate of Roseville High class of '39 and later pursued and achieved a degree attending night courses at American River College. And on the dance floor, Ralph shined, always in demand where the music was live and lively. He could, in the vernacular of the day, 'cut a rug'.

He also had a particular talent for gardening, and it was in the garden that he would find relief from the stresses of life. He would spend hours in his garden, taking particular joy in visiting with whichever neighbor or stranger that might happen by.

He is survived by Dolores, Ralph, Jr. (Patti), Rick (Gigi) and his brother and sisters Anne, Angela, Jennie, Pauline and Frank. He is now joined with his mother and father and brothers Joe and Reyes in God's arms. Also surviving are two step-great-grandchildren, Ella and Mia Rose, and scores of nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Ralph very dearly, and who were all so helpful in his later years as age made daily chores increasingly difficult. Our family can never thank them enough. His extended family is considerable (friends and neighbors), but none more dear than his devoted neighbor Janine, so loving, so reliable.

Words are inadequate to express proper gratitude to his caregivers, Liana and Violet, of Bonita Home Care who so lovingly saw to Ralph's needs in his final days.

A viewing will be held Jan. 4, 2012, 4 - 7 PM, Lambert Funeral Home, 400 Douglas Blvd., Roseville, CA. Burial will be Jan 5, at Mt. Vernon Mortuary, 8201 Greenback Ln. Fair Oaks, CA, 2 PM. All are welcome