Ralph Critelli

CRITELLI - Ralph November 28, 1936. The son of Italian immigrants Joseph Critelli and Rose Capella. Survived by his wife of 64 years Concetta M. (nee Mascia) Critelli; one brother, the late Anthony Sonny Critelli. He is also survived by his two children Ralph J. (Wendy) Critelli and Michelle M. (Ronald) Cooke; grandfather of Nicolette (David) Mosinski, Jessica DePasquale, and Tyler Cooke; and great-grandfather of Harrison, Rosalind, and Gwendolyn Mosinski; and brother-in-law of Linda Sacco, Charles (late JoAnne) Durante. Ralph was an electrician for over 30 years at the Ashland Oil Refinery and then Maintenance Supervisor at Williams Advanced Materials for over ten years. He served as Damage Controlman, second class in the United States Coast Guard from July 1961 until March 1962. Ralph taught electrical theory and electrical maintenance at Erie County Community College. He was also an amateur artist and consumer of all disciplines of science both fact and fiction. His shelves were stocked with hundreds of books that he had read; his favorite authors being Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clark; and his favorite show, by far, was the original Star Trek. He always felt that one of the greatest successes in his life was being alive at the time when humankind first ventured into space. Suspended from the ceiling of his study where many models representative of the reach of human ingenuity and imagination. He had also re-created a replica of the Pioneer Plaque placed on the Pioneer Space Probe, it was the first artificial object launched in 1972, that has traveled beyond our solar system. He was also an avid collector of old coins, ancient artifacts, and gems. Our fathers room was a museum dedicated to the amazing ability of the human mind, our intrepid spirit of discovery, and our relentless quest to conquer the unknown. Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Northtowns Chapel), 885 Niagara Falls Blvd, near Eggert/Sheridan Dr., on Friday, from 4-8 PM. A Committal Service will be celebrated Saturday morning at 10 oclock at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore, NY. Please assemble at the cemetery office.