Obituary of Ralph Madaffari

 

Ralph Madaffari, resident of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was born in The Bronx, New York on April 28, 1950, and died in St. Petersburg, Florida, on February 25, 2020. He was 69 years-old.

When Ralph was five years-old, he and his family moved to Scarsdale, New York, where they resided in a home built by his father, Ralph, for whom he was named. His mother was Sylvia (Taddeo). Ralph graduated from Edgemont High School in 1968 and continuously valued the many lifelong friendships he built there. He fostered a successful career in the construction industry, at times owning his own company, and worked on projects such as the World Trade Center and The Newington-Cropsey Foundation Gallery of Art. His occupational pride was truly ignited when his signature beard turned white, and he began playing Santa Claus at numerous malls around the country, in parades, and for friends and family during the holidays.

 

Ralph is survived by his older brother, James (Jimmy) currently of Myrtle Beach, N.C., and his twin brother, Ronald (Ronnie) of Margate, Florida; daughters Michelle Yingling, Jennifer (James Chinarian) Ferreira, Crissy (Adam) Brescia, and Raffy (Max) Frymark; grandchildren Christjen, Cole, Julia, Sylvia, Fisher, Ethan, and great-granddaughter, Camila.

 

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life, to be held at Sunday, March 8, 2020 1:00 pm Sunset Beach Pavillion, 8000 W Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706.

 

Please rsvp to Michelle, at: mfeyingling@gmail.com, if you are able to attend. We would appreciate having an accurate count for the caterer.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor his memory and love of children should be sent to Because You Can, LLC, a non-profit educational organization benefitting children and adults with cognitive and learning disabilities. Please email jen@becauseyoucanllc.com for details.

 

The care of Ralph and his family have been entrusted to David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg.

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