Richard Michael Tralies Sr

On June 18th, 1960, Rick was born in Philadelphia, PA to Joseph Tralies and Jewell White. He was the middle brother to Joe Tralies and Cathy Pollock. He grew up first at Fifth and Hunting Park, where Rick made lifelong friends, that still vacation together in Destin, FL. In his teens, Rick started work at Ball Park II Pizza, a decision that changed his life. He met a girl who worked at Irv’s Bagels next door. He and Carol Whittaker soon married, and Rick Jr. and Sharon were born shortly thereafter. Rick and Carol eventually took ownership of the restaurant, which they operated until 2011. Rick’s Ball Park, was a place where friends and families gathered for pizza, cheesesteaks and a few cold beers. Neighborhood kids and family members got their first jobs there, sweeping floors and doing dishes. Local kids hung out there after dances. The sports teams he sponsored came in for post-game celebrations. Rick loved it all.

After Ball Park closed in 2011, Rick followed his strong Catholic faith, and started a new work life managing the campus at St. Joseph the Worker, then St. Frances Cabrini. He loved doing work that supported his faith (and allowed him to atone for his early days in Hunting Park). He loved daily lunches with his new coworkers, who would become another family to him. His new job gave him the freedom to do more in his free time. But even his leisure pursuits typically were grounded in faith and community service. He coached a CYO basketball team, and taught a religious education class. He volunteered to lead the kitchen during church events, like bingo, quiz night and fish fries. He loved to sing and was a member of his choir, was a cantor and a lector. He joined the Knights of Columbus and attended the church men’s club.

He relived some of his athletic youth, running the Broad Street Run multiple times, with his son, daughter, daughter in law, son in law and granddaughter. He participated in a Ragnar Relay with his son in law, which made him so proud, even though he was the “oldest guy in the van.” He joined a bike team, Raising Caine, to help raise funds for MS. He was just as competitive playing basketball, street hockey, volleyball, and other games, with his beloved grandchildren, Mary, Ella, Jackson and Vivian.

In remembrance of Rick, consider slipping your grandkids a $20 bill, giving your granddogs a secret helping of ice cream, quoting the Princess Bride in a bad accent, wearing a silly costume at Halloween, waking your kids on Saturday morning by blasting Forever in Blue Jeans, donate to, or better yet, volunteer your time at a food pantry, and try to be “incredibly kind and generous.” That’s what Rick would want.

Rick is survived by many, many beloved family members, including his wife Carol; his father Joe Tralies, Jr.; his brother Joe Tralies, III and Cary Tralies; his sister Cathy Pollock and Steve Pollock; and his sisters Cindy Linsulata and Dave Linsulata, and Lisa Cruz and Jose Cruz; his father in law, Dick Whittaker and Maryanne Whittaker; his son Rick Tralies, Jr and his wife, Carolyn Giordano and his grandchildren, MaryAlice and Vivian Tralies; his daughter, Sharon Walsky and her husband, Geoff Walsky and his grandchildren, Ella and Jackson Walsky.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd, Levittown, Pennsylvania 19056,

Visitation will also be held at St. Frances Cabrini, 325 S. Oxford Valley Road, Fairless Hills, PA 19030, on April 21, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:20 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am.

Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery, 5201 Hulmeville Rd, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, on April 21, 2026, at 12:15 pm.