Ralph A Di Santo

Our 101-year-old soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph A. Di Santo rejoined his beloved wife Harriet in heaven on Monday, December 18, 2023, quietly and peacefully taking his leave. A jovial, soft-spoken gentleman, a wise and kind father, a respected and accomplished business and non-profit executive, Ralph made an impact on many, will be remembered with love, and mourned deeply by his family and those who knew him. “Start with people: Without them, you can’t get anything done, but with them, you can do almost anything.” ~ Ralph Di Santo Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the son of first-generation Italian immigrants, and a brother to three sisters, Ralph entered the U.S. Army immediately following high school, serving in World War II as an enlisted soldier. Ralph served in some of the most important and pivotal moments in the war, including landing at Normandy with the American First Army on Utah Beach on D-Day plus 3 and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. He was the recipient of four Bronze Battle Stars and the Meritorious Unit Citation for action in Normandy, northern France, Rhineland, and central Europe. Returning home from the war, Ralph entered college on the GI bill, earning a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Scranton, attending Georgetown Law School, and earning a Master of Social Science degree from the University at Buffalo. It is at Buffalo that Ralph met the love of his life, and life-long companion, Harriet. Ralph and Harriet married in 1950, and began a journey that spanned several cities and states, including Buffalo NY, Wilkes-Barre PA, Columbus OH, Springfield IL, Jacksonville FL, Winter Park FL, Hollywood FL, and Deerfield Beach FL. At Harriet’s passing in 2021, they had been married 71 wonderful years. Ralph continued his military service through the Army Reserves for 25 years and rose through the ranks to become Lieutenant Colonel. In 2012, Ralph was honored with the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur award for his US Army military service in France in WW2. The award, established by Napoleon in 1802, is the highest decoration bestowed by the French government. Ralph’s business career included serving as Executive Director of the United Way (Springfield, IL, Jacksonville, FL, and Columbus, OH), Director of Development at Rollins College (Winter Park, FL), Chief Development Officer for Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH), Executive Director of American Social Health Association (Columbus, OH), Vice President of Goettler and Associates (Columbus, OH), Director of the Office of Financial Development and Community Relations, St. Francis Hospital (Miami Beach, FL), and Executive Vice President, Mercy Hospital Foundation, (Miami, FL). Ralph believed strongly in giving back through community service. The awards he received in recognition of his years of service are too extensive to list. Some highlights include honors from the United Way of America, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Key Man Award (Columbus, OH), and several SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) volunteer awards in Florida. After retirement, Ralph served on several national boards including the American Red Cross and The AIDS Foundation. He was inducted into the 2003 Broward Senior Hall of Fame. “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ~ Ralph Di Santo Ralph was a meticulous and thoughtful soul, and this could be seen in his tidy, organized, and pristine surroundings. Those close to Ralph will miss his kind inquiries, his recitations of famous (or self-written) and uplifting, oftentimes witty quotes, as well as the longhand calligraphy script he used in writing letters and notes. Ralph is survived by his three devoted sons and daughter-in-law: Dale and Patti DiSanto, Ralph DiSanto, Jr., and Dana DiSanto; his three grandchildren: Ryan DiSanto, Kelli DiSanto Lotter (Justin), and Kevin DiSanto (Brittany); three great-grandchildren: Mathis, Ashton, and Beckham Lotter; sister Marion Fischer, and his many beloved nieces and nephews. Ralph is predeceased by his wife Harriet, his parents Alfonso and Helen Di Santo, and his sisters, Norma Ruggere and Rachel Insalaco. Funeral services will be held at Sinai Memorial Chapel in Delray Beach, FL. Interment will be at the VA National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL. In lieu of flowers, our family suggests memorial contributions to The United Way Retirees Association (UWRA, 107 S. West St., Ste. 761, Alexandria, VA 22314).

Ralph A Di Santo

June 19, 1922 - December 18, 2023