Ralph J. DeVito Sr.

DeVito, Sr., Ralph J.
Ralph John DeVito, Sr., 89, a lifelong resident of Stamford, peacefully passed away at his home on Monday, December 23rd with his loving family by his side. Ralph was born September 18, 1924 in Stamford to the late
Nicholas Frank and Louise Lionetti DeVito.
Ralph attended Stamford schools and graduated from Stamford High School with the class of 1942. Following graduation, Ralph was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team to play catcher, but he passed up that opportunity to serve his country during World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the South Pacific where he took part in operations on Tarawa, Kwajalein Island, Apamama and Makin. After his return he became an apprentice at Danersk Craftsmen, beginning his lifelong profession creating, repairing and restoring fine furniture which is in elegant homes and museums worldwide. He then founded Stamford Craftsmen which he operated for over 10 years. In 1974 he founded Raphael's Antique Restoration which specializes in custom antique furniture reproductions as well as preserving and restoring valuable antiques. Ralph operated that business until transferring it to his son Mark who continues to operate it today.
Ralph was also an active member of the Marine Corps League. He was a lifetime member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and past president of the American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Breeders association where he served for over 10 years and where he won numerous awards for his champion stock. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, billiards and his many friends at the Stamford Senior Center.
Ralph is survived by his loving children; Louise DeVito Aulenti and her husband Joseph, Ralph John DeVito, Jr. and his wife Grace Mehan DeVito, Marie DeVito and George Sinclair and Mark DeVito and his wife Jean Bankowski DeVito, his nine grandchildren; Carrie Aulenti Hancock and her husband Clifford, Daniel Aulenti and his wife Sarah Hurd, Gregory Aulenti and his wife Jill Triumfo Aulenti, Robert Procaccini and his wife Dineen Forest Procaccini, Jeff Procaccini and his wife Loren Young Procaccini, Ralph DeVito III, Gaea DeVito, Zoe DeVito and Joseph DeVito, and eight great grandchildren, Miranda and Molly Hancock, Walker, Eden, Ethan and Adam Aulenti, and Ella and Dylan Procaccini, and his faithful dog Miller. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Theresa Passero DeVito and his brothers Frank and Joseph DeVito.
Ralph's family will receive the condolences of family and friends on Friday, December 27th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT, 06902. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, December 28th at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 566 Elm Street, in Stamford. The interment will immediately follow mass at Queen of Peace R.C. Cemetery on Rockrimmon Road in Stamford.
Mr. DeVito's family has entrusted his final care to Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford. If you care to leave an expression of sympathy for the family online, please sign the guestbook on www.bosakfuneralhome.com or visit the funeral home on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.