Ralph John Pieranunzi

Ralph John Pieranunzi, of Rockville, MD, passed away peacefully at the age of 93.  His beloved wife, Mary Lou, was at his bedside at Sunny Side Manor Communities.  Ralph was the patriarch of a large and loving family, and proud father of six children:  Patricia, Paul (Nancy dec.), Peter (Carol), Susan Eastwood (Paul), Michael (Karen), Jean Schuler (Kevin), ten beloved grandchildren and their spouses; as well as a multitude of extended family members and friends.  His sweet nature and easy disposition will be missed by this large circle of loving friends who have been witness to his strong faith and fight for life, right up until the early afternoon of October 4, 2024.

Ralph was born in Monongahela, PA, on December 24, 1930, and grew up as the only child of first generation Italian immigrants, Ubaldo and Josephine (Panseri) Pieranunzi. Ralph passed along his strong Catholic faith and Italian Heritage to those he met.  In 1954, he served in the Korean War, and upon the end of the conflict returned to Monongahela to attend Pittsburgh Technical School.  Upon graduation, Ralph moved to Arlington, VA, to work for the National Security Agency.  And, joined the Catholic Young Adults Club of Northern Virginia, where he met the love of his life.

They were married on August 2, 1958, at Blessed Sacrament Church, Alexandria, VA..  and settled in Rockville, MD, where they raised their six children.  During these years, Ralph spent his time volunteering for various organizations through his membership in the Knights of Columbus and St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.  Ralph and Mary Lou were early leaders, serving as co-chairs for four years, in the Cursillo Movement of the Washington Archdiocese, where they made more lifetime friendships.  

Ralph was retired more years than he worked, and spent much of that time travelling to Europe, Canada, many cities in the United States, and cruises to the Caribbean.  They enjoyed golf trips with their family to Hawaii and Ireland as well as playing weekly rounds at local golf courses — he has had two “hole in-ones!”   His all-time favorite vacation was summers picking up purple shells onthe Outer Banks beach for 57 years at the Funk Family Reunions.  He was a card player, a dancer, a crab eater, and a sports fan (he read the Washington Post Sports page every day).

His example of kindness and caring for others will be our fondest memories of him which will live on in our hearts.  

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest in memory of Ralph that you reach out to someone in need and be there for them.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES:

October 14 - 6:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m.  -  Visitation *

October 15 - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  -  Visitation*

October 15 - 11:00 a.m. - Mass of Christian Burial* followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery

*Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 15663 Norbeck Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20906