Ralph Xavier Nardone

Ralph Xavier Nardone

Record of Birth Name: Angelo Raffaele Nardone. Nick Name: Rip

Born and raised in his beloved Westerly, RI, Ralph was a first-generation Italian American. With his parents, Rocco (a stone mason) and Adelina (who managed the home and an enormous garden), Ralph grew up in an Italian neighborhood with his six sisters and older brother. The family lived on a dirt road, in a home with an outhouse, no refrigerator, and no television…they never owned an automobile. But the family was filled with love and Ralph was the favorite.

Ralph’s big brother, Cicci bought him a saxophone, paid for his lessons and paid him to practice. Joining his first professional orchestra when he was just 14, Ralph continued to play music professionally and it ultimately paid his expenses at the University of RI.

Ralph was a dedicated scholar and leader at Westerly High School including Chief Editor, school newspaper, class photographer, business office manager, ran track and lettered in soccer.  At URI, he was an officer in the ROTC and president of his fraternity. The first of his family to attend college, Ralph graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Accounting.

In Ralph’s professional career, he thrived as an Accountant, Auditor, Controller and Corporate Tax Manager for many Fortune Companies like GE, Columbia Records, Arther Andersen (his favorite) Dupont, Nuclear Fuel Services, Getty Oil and Texaco. His work took him all over the United States. In later years (including up to October 2024), Ralph referred to his daily, on-line, stock market investment trading as his occupation.

In addition to his career, Ralph dedicated himself to service. Service to his vocation including as President of the National Association of Accountants, Maryland Chapter, service to community as Little League Baseball Manager, Bowie Bridge Club President,  and Business Manager for the  Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Maryland Chapter, as well as lifelong service to the Catholic Church from altar boy at Immaculate Conception (Westerly, RI) to Parish Council President and Finance Committee Chair for 30 years at St. Ambrose (Cheverly, MD).

Ralph met his true love, Ruth Margaret Burns, an inspiring Irish beauty from Springfield Gardens, NY in 1953. They were married in 1956. For almost 50 years, theirs became an epic love story, and Ralph had a singular devotion to Ruth. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis before they met, Ruth’s condition went into remission while she and Ralph raised their five children in Albany, NY and Cheverly, MD.

Despite many attempts at developmental therapies over the years, Ruth’s condition advanced; Ralph was her devoted primary care giver. Transitions, feeding tubes, tracheotomy, bathing, all the complexities of care, Ralph faithfully performed them all until Ruth passed away in 2005.

In the last 20 years, Ralph showered his five children, 22 grandchildren, soon to be 12 great grandchildren, extended family and dear friends, with his time, many talents and steadfast love!  Wonderful memories include Ocean City vacations, Bird-N-Hand, PA family reunions, fun returns to Westerly to be with sisters Gilda and Louise, the Bowie Bridge Club, Montpelier Pool swim and social time, bowling birthday parties, and an unforgettable 90th birthday bash.

Ralph body surfed in the Atlantic Ocean until age 85, completed complex income tax returns until 100, mastered the daily crossword puzzle, led the family book club initiated during the Pandemic, supported the St. Nicholas Prayer Team and executed on-line, stock exchange options trading until October 2024. Through all, he maintained his super sharp intellect and wonderful sense of humor.

For over 100 years, Ralph consistently gave back in service, in grace and in Love. He made positive change for so many that can never be unchanged. All along the way, Ralph selflessly modelled the ultimate example of what it means to be a husband, a father, a grandfather, a community leader, a man. We are truly blessed and grateful for every day, every moment we shared with him.

Predeceased By: Wife: Ruth Burns Nardone. Parents: Rocco Nardone; Erminia Adelina Antonino Nardone. Brother; Gerard (Cicci) Nardone. Sisters: Mary Manette; Constance Bontempo; Palma Patterson; Malinda Kupidlowski. Grandson: Angello Nimrod Gant.

Children's Names: Paul Burns Nardone (Linda); Clare Cullen Bennett (John); Jane Waters Mills (Charles); Mark Burns Nardone (Nita); Nancy Leyden Gant (Edward)

Grandchildren's Names: Juliane Gallion (Connor); Theresa Nardone; Natali Portillo; Rachel Bennett (Edward); Jason Bennett (Agatha); Matthew Bennett; Kathryn Mills Frett; Lucy Mills Marx-Gibbons (Michael); Joseph Mills; Naomi Mills Derrick (Matthew); Nicholas Mills (Julia); Rocco Mills (Bridget); Suzannah Mills; Julia Nardone; Cara Nardone; Lawrence Gant (Louisa); Tabitha Gant Strobel (William); Xena Gant McWilliams (Warren); Quinton Gant; Cyrus Gant; Orion Gant; Angello Gant

Great Grandchildren’s Names: Kallan Frett; Keagan Frett; Grayson Marx-Gibbons; Abigail Derrick; Elliana Derrick; Nicholas Mills Jr.; David Mills; Jack Rafeal Mills; Simon Gant; Luna Strobel; Zora Strobel

Brothers and Sisters: Gilda Ahern (Westerly, RI); Louise Fusaro (Westerly, RI)

Organizations, Memberships, Church: Lifelong Roman Catholic including St. Ambrose (Cheverly, MD); most recently, St. Nicholas Catholic Church (Laurel, MD); National Association of Accountants (Institute of Management Accounts); Tax Executive Institute; Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Maryland Chapter; Theta Chi Fraternity (URI Chapter); St. Vincent DePaul; Bowie Bridge Club; Montpelier Swim Club (Laurel, MD); Ralston Straight Shooters Club; (Boston) Braves Fan Club

Honors, Achievements: President, Parish Council, St. Ambrose Catholic Church (Cheverly, MD); President, Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Accountants; Finance Chairman, Mid-Maryland Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society; President, Bowie Bridge Club; Prayer Team Member, St. Nicholas Catholic Church; Head Coach, Little League Baseball (Albany, NY); President, Theta Chi Fraternity (URI Chapter); Chair, Ruth and Ralph Nardone Scholarship, Westerly High School

Charitable Request: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Ralph to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Maryland Chapter

Additional Information: Visitation Friday, November 15, 4 – 8 PM including  Story Time; Catholic Mass on Saturday, November 16 @ 11 Am, followed by a reception to celebrate and honor Ralph’s life @ 12 noon to 2 Pm including food, drinks, and an open microphone to share memories. Catholic Mass of Chirstian Burial Service to be scheduled for the spring, 2025, in Ralph’s beloved Westerly, RI.