27
trees
planted in memory of Ralph Quaglia
Obituary for Ralph Quaglia
Ralph Quaglia of Middletown, NY and West Palm Beach, FL passed away after a short and sudden illness on August 14, 2021 surrounded by his family at Garnet Medical Center in Middletown. He was 77.
Born in Manhattan on November 5, 1943 the first of three children to Angelo and Natalie (Mangini) Quaglia, Ralph grew up in East Harlem on 116th Street as part of a close-knit extended Italian family, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and many many cousins. The family moved to the Bronx where he would eventually meet and marry Maureen Doherty, the love of his life. He was a loving husband and companion to her for 54 years. They started their lives together in Mount Vernon and then moved “upstate.” Together, they had four children that they raised in Middletown.
Ralph had a second family - the New York City Fire Department. He joined New York’s bravest in 1968. He served with duty, honor, and courage as part of Engine 88 on Belmont Avenue in the Bronx for 23 years. His firehouse - E88/L38 - was one of the city’s busiest and storied during his tenure there. He helped organize the 7th Division Collection Fund in 1986 which helps families defray funeral costs to this day. He was successfully promoted to Lieutenant in 1991. His devotion to the department continued after his retirement in 2000 with his involvement in the United Retired Firefighters Association and his deep and lasting relationships with his NYFD brothers.
Ralph had a love of sports - particularly the NY Yankees, the NY Rangers, the Dallas Cowboys, and golf. He was an avid cook and loved to make large meals for others, both at home and the firehouse, and thrived on time with family.
He is predeceased by parents Angelo and Natalie Quaglia and his wife Maureen Quaglia. He is survived by children: Jeanine, Denise, Robert, and Matthew Quaglia (Laura Savage); his beloved grandchildren: Nathan, Estelle, Quinn, Nicholas, Jordan, and Charlie Quaglia, and his siblings: Camille Kowalski (Francis Kowalski) and Michael Medici (Mary Medici).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 19 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 20, 11:00 am, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Middletown, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ralph's name may be made to https://www.firehero.org/donate/
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Born in Manhattan on November 5, 1943 the first of three children to Angelo and Natalie (Mangini) Quaglia, Ralph grew up in East Harlem on 116th Street as part of a close-knit extended Italian family, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and many many cousins. The family moved to the Bronx where he would eventually meet and marry Maureen Doherty, the love of his life. He was a loving husband and companion to her for 54 years. They started their lives together in Mount Vernon and then moved “upstate.” Together, they had four children that they raised in Middletown.
Ralph had a second family - the New York City Fire Department. He joined New York’s bravest in 1968. He served with duty, honor, and courage as part of Engine 88 on Belmont Avenue in the Bronx for 23 years. His firehouse - E88/L38 - was one of the city’s busiest and storied during his tenure there. He helped organize the 7th Division Collection Fund in 1986 which helps families defray funeral costs to this day. He was successfully promoted to Lieutenant in 1991. His devotion to the department continued after his retirement in 2000 with his involvement in the United Retired Firefighters Association and his deep and lasting relationships with his NYFD brothers.
Ralph had a love of sports - particularly the NY Yankees, the NY Rangers, the Dallas Cowboys, and golf. He was an avid cook and loved to make large meals for others, both at home and the firehouse, and thrived on time with family.
He is predeceased by parents Angelo and Natalie Quaglia and his wife Maureen Quaglia. He is survived by children: Jeanine, Denise, Robert, and Matthew Quaglia (Laura Savage); his beloved grandchildren: Nathan, Estelle, Quinn, Nicholas, Jordan, and Charlie Quaglia, and his siblings: Camille Kowalski (Francis Kowalski) and Michael Medici (Mary Medici).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 19 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 20, 11:00 am, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Middletown, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ralph's name may be made to https://www.firehero.org/donate/
To plant a tree in memory of Ralph Quaglia, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
19
Aug
2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
Visitation
Thursday
19
Aug
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
Service
Friday
20
Aug
11:00 AM
St. Joseph's Church
149 Cottage Street
Middletown, NY 10940
Memorial Contribution
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
P.O. Drawer 498
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
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