Ralph R. Grecco

Heaven smells like spaghetti sauce thanks to its newest resident. Ralph Riviello Grecco of Hyattsville, Maryland passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 95 on May 19, 2026 after a day surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 4, 1930 to Guiseppe “Jack” Grecco and Jean Irene Riviello Grecco in Coketon, West Virgnia. Those who loved Ralph the most knew him as Butterball, Stogie, Dad, Uncle Bud or Grandad.

He married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine O’Haver, in 1950 and then served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After military service, Ralph and Lorraine built a life together with three daughters and many friends in Maryland. Ralph retired after a 44 year career with Safeway, never missing an opportunity to let his family know when they were paying too much for groceries.

Ralph was a kind and sociable man who enjoyed dinner and dancing with friends at the American Legion and Moose Lodge. As a second generation Italian-American, he made sure every holiday and family event was a festive food-filled occasion. If he could get his way, meals would include spaghetti and sauce. “Eat!,” he would say – and you didn’t have a choice. He enjoyed watching sports (especially WVU football and Maryland women’s basketball) and always had a game on television. Not a fan of the beach, he treated his family to a Carolina Beach trip every year and gave everyone many happy memories.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 75 years Lorraine O’Haver Grecco; daughters Debbie (Mark) Leone, Denise (Jay) Farrell, and Mary; grandchildren Melinda Leone Tanaka, Michelle Leone England, and Kristen Farrell Taylor; great grandchildren Mia Tanaka and Owen England; cousin Theresa Rivello Merkel; and nephews Don Spear and Greg Spear, Ryan Mystkowski, nieces Rhonda Mystkowski Jenkins, Annette Lipovec Biats and Debra Lipovec Herber.

Ralph was preceded in death by parents Guiseppe and Irene Grecco; stepmother Ina Reid Grecco; sisters Gloria Grecco Spear, Jean Grecco Lipovec, Rose Grecco Mystkowski; stepbrother Joe Grecco; and nephews Billy Hansen, Jeff Spear, and Ronnie Spear.

The family will host a visitation and celebration of life on June 11th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbott Ave., Laurel, Maryland, 20707. In lieu of flowers, please consider helping military families by making a donation to the American Legion Auxiliary at https://www.legion-aux.org/donate. This would honor two cornerstones of Ralph’s life: family and the American Legion.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 12th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 7301 Annapolis Road, Landover Hills, MD 20784. Private burial will be held at a late date.