Raffaele Ralph Looz

THOMASVILLE – Mr. Raffaele “Ralph” Looz, age 73, died Friday, March 21st, at Hospice Home at High Point, following a brief illness.

Ralph was born July 1st, 1940 in Naples, Italy, the second child and the eldest son to the late Salvatore and Margherita Illiano Looz. He was a member of Our Lady of the Highway Catholic Church in Thomasville. Before coming to the United States in 1980, he worked as a cook on cargo ships, sailing out of Italy. In 1983 he moved to High Point where he and his brothers, Pasquale and Luigi opened Elizabeth’s Pizza on Westchester Drive. In 1987 a second restaurant was opened in Thomasville and a third, the next year, in Lexington.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Carmela Illiano Looz of the home; one son Salvatre “Sal” Looz and his wife Stafania and a daughter, Maria Dipuorto and her husband Aldo all of Thomasville; Five brothers, Raimondo of New Jersey, Giuseppe, Antonio and Luigi all of Italy and Pasquale of Rural Hall; three sisters, Assunta, Angela and Rosaria all of Italy; six grandchildren, Luigi, Raffale, Annarita, Carmela, Mariarita and Monica.

A Prayer Service is scheduled for 6:30 pm Monday in the chapel of Thomasville Funeral Home with Deacon Wayne Adams celebrant. The family will receive friends, at the funeral home, following the service.

An additional service and burial will be held later in Monte Diprocida, Napoli, Italy.

Elizabeth’s Pizza on Westchester Drive in High Point; Elizabeth’s Pizza at Walmart in Thomasville; Mamma Mia’s in Walburg, Little Italy Restaurant’s in Rural Hall and King and Time Square in Asheboro will be closed Monday, March 24th.

Online condolences can be made at wwwthomasvillefh.com. Arrangements by Thomasville Funeral Home.