Ralph Marinelli

Ralph Marinelli, 91, of Greensburg, passed away peacefully Monday, August 26, 2024. He was born December 13, 1932, in Sutersville, a son of the late August and Anna (Galetti) Marinelli. Ralph was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Catholic by faith, he was a lifelong member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. During his teen years, in Grapeville, he developed a passion for weightlifting. In 1953, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he grew even stronger while serving as a drill instructor at Parris Island. Ralph’s incredible strength impressed many, but not the traveling circus ape that dislocated his shoulder while wrestling. His other high-risk pursuits included motorcycling, riding the Youghiogheny rapids on an inner tube, and cave diving. As president of a cave diving club, he once completed a perilous dive through submerged, lightless passages to discover uncharted areas of Tytoona Cave. Ralph was a lifetime member of Marine Corps League Detachment #834, American Legion Post #344, other veterans service organizations, and ISDA Dante Alighieri Chapter 244. He enjoyed supporting Toys for Tots, playing bocce, and entertaining others with his singing, dancing and storytelling. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Doris Marinelli; brother, Carl Marinelli; and infant sister, Mary Marinelli. He is survived by three children, Cindy Alden, of Greensburg, Carol Mersereau, of Georgetown, Texas, and Vincent (Anne Marie) Marinelli, of Mechanicsburg; four grandchildren, Sarah Childs (Joe) Soliz, Maria (Nicholas) Jones, Angela (Jacob) Lamirande, and Veronica Marinelli; great grandson, Giovanni Raphael Soliz; brother, Alfred (Marie) Marinelli, of Jeannette; and many nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved him. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg. Prayers will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Entombment will follow at Twin Valley Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum, Delmont with full military honors accorded by the VFW Post No. 33, Greensburg Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ralph Marinelli by sending a check payable to Toys for Tots to 2419 Cypress Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601.  www.bachafh.com

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