Ralph Ronald Hardy

May 2, 1926 – November 20, 2023

Ralph Ronald Hardy was born May 2, 1926 to Mildred Constance Lama and George Mark Hardy, in Buffalo, New York. His mother really wished he had been born an hour earlier on May 1, so she changed his birthday to May 1 on the baptismal certificate. Her sweet intentions created headaches for him for the rest of his life.

Ralph was the first of four brothers: Ralph, Edward, George, and Robert. He was predeceased by all his younger brothers, a great heartache to him.

World War II was raging when Ralph was in Canisius High School. In April 1944 of his senior year, he joined the USN Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman Class V6. He reported for duty immediately upon graduation, receiving the rating of Hospital Apprentice, Second Class. His recruit training was done at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Sampson, New York. Ralph was assigned to San Diego Balboa Hospital and advanced to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class. His duties also took him to the Marine Corps Base, San Diego, and the U.S. Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego. He formed a lifelong bond with the Marines as a Navy Corpsman. In July 1946 Ralph was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Navy. He received the WWII Victory medal and American Theater medal.

Ralph returned to Buffalo, New York, where he attended the University of Buffalo on the GI Bill. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. Ralph graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in June 1949.

He worked at Bethlehem Steel on a drop forge, but later took to sales with Continental Coffee.

He met a graduate of Buffalo Nursing College, Marie Minahan. They hit it off and were married in 1950.

After another wallop of lake effect, Ralph realized, “I’ve seen better winters than this,” and set out to move back to San Diego. He took an offer from Parke-Davis to be a professional sales representative and brought the family to Los Angeles. Ralph recalled, “The place was booming. You couldn’t help but make a good living.” Ralph also bought a 1930’s redwood beach house in Newport Beach, and the family spent many memorable days there throughout the year.

In 1964, Parke-Davis needed a sales rep in San Diego, and Ralph made the pitch that he was the man for the job. He got the transfer, and moved the family to La Mesa.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and palm trees. Ralph and Marie divorced in 1965.

Ralph persevered, and continued to work hard with Parke-Davis. During one sales meeting Ralph met a lady, Ginger Barton. Their coyness sparked an interest in the other which grew into a life-long love affair. They were married in May 1966. Ginger had three children from a previous marriage. Their fused family delighted in the popular TV series “The Brady Bunch.” Their children all have terrific stories to share about each other. Some stories are old and worn and dear and cherished.

Ralph won the Parke-Davis Salesman of the Year Award in 1969, and a trip to Rome with Ginger.

After his retirement from Parke-Davis, Ralph enjoyed writing poetry. He would sit on the covered patio dipping his pen into a river of lyric, writing pages upon pages of poetry for his beloved Ginger.

Ralph and Ginger doted over their Yorkies. They traveled the U.S. in an RV. They were easy going, getting to know locals, sharing stories of family.

In their last days, Ralph and Ginger shared favorite KPBS programs and card games. Before bed, they’d recite Psalm 23 while holding hands. Ginger passed away in October 2013. Their final night together was pleasant, tranquil, with a loving kiss goodnight.

In the hospital after her passing, Ralph kissed Ginger’s forehead and said, “We’ve come to the fork in the road, honey. But the roads will join again.”

For a few years after her passing, Ralph would ask to be taken to Ginger’s burial site. He would sit in a lawn chair for an hour or so, quietly, remembering.

Ralph enjoyed Black Mission Figs, yellow bananas, soft chocolates, and chicken pot pies. He loved swing music, and would break out in song with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He got a big smile listening to a family member enthusiastically describing something they were looking forward to getting done.

Ralph passed away peacefully on November 20, 2023. His daughter Kathleen was with him when he died. The family is deeply grateful for the loving care and heartfelt compassion of the professional staff at Poway Healthcare Center. They are truly Ralph’s extended family.

Ralph is survived by sons Timothy, Kevin, Stephen, Brian, daughter Katheen, and Ginger’s daughters, Peralee and Sharon, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ginger’s son, Stan, passed away in 1989.

As a WWII USN veteran, Ralph will be interred with military honors. Ralph will rest side-by-side with Ginger. Their roads have joined again.

“In Lieu of Flowers”: Ralph requested donations of any size be sent to his Alma Mater, the University at Buffalo.

There are two methods for making a donation to UB:

#1: On-line donation link:

https://ubfoundation.buffalo.edu/giving/index.php?gift_allocation=01-3-0-08200

“Optional” category: “In Honor / Memory of”

Write “In Memory of Ralph R. Hardy, UB'49”

#2: Personal Check:

Make your check payable to the “UB Foundation, Inc”

Please write in the memo line: “In Memory RR Hardy, UB'49”

Mail to: University at Buffalo Foundation Inc., PO Box 730, Buffalo NY 14226-0730