Obituary: Ralph Mark Santoianni, 79, Of Bethel

Information and Photo Courtesy Hull Funeral Home

BETHEL, CT — Ralph Mark Santoianni died peacefully at home on Friday, May 27, 2022.

The son of John and Virginia Santoianni, he was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and no one was prouder to be from the Bronx than him. He grew up surrounded by dozens of cousins, told stories of stickball in the street, nickel candy at the candy store, and many memories being at Evander Childs High School. He became a father on March 13, 1963 when he welcomed Michael John into the world. On October 5, 1975 he married the love of his life, his “Pretty Lady”, Lorraine. Together, they built a magnificent life, raised 2 beautiful girls, Kristy and Kelly, and he gave them the childhood and life he always dreamed of. He gave them more than he ever really imagined.

He was a Proud New York Jets Fan (seeing them win the Super Bowl in 1969) and an even bigger NY Yankees fan! Derek Jeter being his favorite player of all time, he was lucky enough to see Jeter's last game and walk off single, and he talked about it often. He enjoyed his DooWop oldies, especially Dion & the Belmonts, and his old classic cars! He was affectionately called the Big Bopper by his friends and if you were lucky enough to have his namesake sandwich, you were in for a real treat. But, he loved nothing more than his family.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, his kids Michael and Lisa Santoianni, Kristy and Ron Ferrante and Kelly and Brad Fontaine, his 6 grandchildren, his pride and joy, Christopher, Joey, Jake, Liliana, Scarlett and Savannah, his brother, JR Santoianni, his brother in law, Ronald Browning and his nephews, John, Anthony, Steven, Ronald and Jimmy, and their families. He has many adopted “grandchildren” who affectionately called him Grandpa and will miss him immensely.

Although in his last year, he was concerned about his lack of legacy, his family are living proof that his legacy will live on forever, especially in his grandchildren, who knew without a doubt Grandpa would roll on the floor with them and play, and maybe pay them a dollar or two for a nice hit in a ballgame.

Big Bopper, you will never be forgotten, until we all meet again, life was certainly a dream. As one of your favorites sang, “Life could be a dream, Sh-boom, if I could take you to a paradise up above, If you will tell me I'm the only one that you love, Life could be a dream, sweetheart, hello, hello again Sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again”.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, Bethel, Monday, June 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Sunday, June 5, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Health at www.NAMI.com.