An avid golfer who loved the Bruins and Red Sox and enjoyed traveling
MELROSE — Ralph J. Galante, a longtime resident of Melrose and Stoneham passed away Friday, March 7 at The Arbors in Stoneham. He was born on September 13, 1930 in Boston and grew up in Somerville. Ralph was a graduate of Somerville High School, Class of 1948. He later moved to Melrose where he lived and raised his family.
Ralph was a loving husband to the late Lillian M. (Bono) Galante, father and grandfather. He was an insurance broker and started his own insurance company Ralph J. Galante Insurance in 1954. He enjoyed all sports especially loved the Bruins and the Red Sox, was an avid golfer and was a former member of Thompson Country Club. He also enjoyed traveling, dancing and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He had very fond memories of special times including a trip to Disneyland in CA with his wife and children and over twenty yearly summer vacations with everyone, especially his grandchildren at Hampton Beach, NH.
Son of the late John and Rose (Corso) Galante. Dear brother of Lucille Ciampa of Stoneham and his late sisters Genevieve Siciliano and Anna May Ciampa. Ralph is survived by his daughter Andrea Vakos and her husband Mike of Stamford, CT and son Stephen Galante and his wife Wendy (Fischer) of Reading; his grandchildren Amanda Vakos; Marianne Vakos and Michael Vakos, Jr.; Derek Galante and fiancé Taylor Thomas; and Rachel Galante. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary’s of the Annunciation Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ralph’s memory to Family & Children’s Agency, 9 Mott Ave., Norwalk, CT 06850, FamilyandChildrensAgency.org; secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=3b0a4b or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, curealz.org/giving/donate. To sign online condolence, visit gatelyfh.com.