Ralph A. Vecchio Jr.

Ralph A. Vecchio Jr., a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home in East Stroudsburg on Friday, October 31. He was 88 years old. Ralph was the devoted husband of Theresa "Terry" (Buttacavoli) Vecchio, with whom he shared 69 wonderful years of marriage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ralph was the son of Italian immigrants Ralph A. Vecchio Sr. and Vincenza "Jenny" (Mistretta) Vecchio. During his youth, he attended New Utrecht High School and worked at Central Meat Market, a family-owned business. In 1956, Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Terry, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Brooklyn. The following year, they moved to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. A humble, self-made man, Ralph became a respected entrepreneur in the Poconos, owning and operating several successful businesses over the years, some of which included The Colonial Diner, Stroud Ford, the Congress Motor Lodge, the Blue Ridge Motel, Pardee's Beach, and Colonial Used Auto Sales, Inc. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ralph lived an active life filled with hobbies and passions. As a child, he loved spending days at the beach and visiting Coney Island. After moving to Stroudsburg, he enjoyed ice skating at the Pocono Ice-a-Rama and skiing in the winter months. Living along the Delaware River, he found joy in boating, swimming, water skiing, and hiking the Appalachian Trail with Terry and their dogs. He was a talented photographer, and he enjoyed taking care of his plants, reading, watching classic movies, and listening to music on his radio. He was also a member of the Italian Mutual Benefit Association of Monroe County. Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Theresa "Terry" Vecchio; his son, Ralph A. Vecchio III, and his wife, Cherry, of Stroudsburg; his daughter, Marguerite Vecchio, and her fiancé, Tim, of East Stroudsburg; and his five grandchildren: Maria (Vecchio) Benza and her husband, Adam; Tara Vecchio-Freeman and her husband, Kyle; Michelle Vecchio; Julia Vecchio; and John Robert Vecchio. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings: Anthony Vecchio and his wife, Dorothy; Lucille Curcuru and her husband, Felix; and Vincent "Vinny" Vecchio and his wife, Helen. There are no services planned at this time. In honor of his lifelong love of dogs, memorial donations may be made to A.W.S.O.M. Animal Shelter of Stroudsburg, PA. pulafuneralhome.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph A. Vecchio Jr., please visit our floral store.