Ralph Totero

He was born September 17, 1924, in the Bronx where he spent his childhood, to parents Matthew Totero and Nancy O'Dierna. He attended Evanderchilds High School in the Bronx and graduated in 1942.

On March 24, 1943 he was inducted into the US Army. Ralph served as an Army corporal for 2 years and 9 months during World War II at age 18 and a half. He was assigned to the 294 Combat Engineer Battalion. In November 1945, he was honorably discharged from the US Army.

He married, the love of his life, Bettina Sapede on January 5, 1947 at St. Raymonds Church in the Bronx. They had 2 children Kathleen in 1949 and Matthew in 1953 and lived in Parkchester until 1978 and then moved to Nyack, NY. In 1999, he and Betty moved to a home in Valley Cottage, NY.

He worked for 40 years as an electrician and is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 66 years. One of his greatest enjoyments was traveling on cruises amongst others. But his most treasured time was with his family and grandchildren for a Sunday pasta dinner.

Survivors include his wife Betty; a daughter Kathleen; a son Matthew and his wife Mary Ann; three grandchildren Jeannine Gentile, Lauren Totero and Samantha Dubbiosi and two great-grand children Giana and Dominic Colavito.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated November 5th, 2012 at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Congers, NY. Burial with military honors followed at Gethsemane Cemetery north of Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, NY.

Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service in Congers, NY handled his funeral arrangements. To leave a message of condolences please visit www.mjhigginscongers.com