Ralph Delesanti

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, he graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in his native borough. He moved to Meiers Corners in 1959 and lived there until 2006, when he relocated to Brick. He entered the care center a month ago.

Mr. Delesanti served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific theater of operations and in North Africa.

He worked for 40 years as an insurance agent at Crumb and Foster in Manhattan. He retired in 1987.

A dedicated father, he loved his kids and wanted to give them every possible advantage. He worked many part-time extra jobs to be able to provide those things for them.

The only male in a family of six sisters and four daughters, Mr. Delesanti was a guiding influence in the lives of his extended family as well as a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

He was an avid New York Yankees fan, and loved watching baseball.

He possessed a great sense of humor, family said. He enjoyed watching comedies and had the ability to make those around him laugh and smile. He also was fond of playing the lottery, and believed that someday he would be a winner, they added.

While living on the Island, he was a parishioner of St. Teresa's R.C. Church, Castleton Corners.

Mr. Delesanti's wife of 62 years, the former Ethel Eide, died in 2012.

He is survived by his daughters, Janet Delesanti, Joan Svenningsen, Lorraine Robitzski and Kathy Wright; his sisters, Anna Alessi, Helen Delesanti and Gloria Guerriero; eight grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

The funeral service will be Saturday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10:45 a.m. in St. Teresa's Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.