Obituary of Ralph Charles Monterosso

Ralph Charles Monterosso (80) — husband, father, grandpa, friend, band musician (harmonica and drums), coach, scout, basketball player (who despite being 5’9” could just about dunk in his prime), softball player, New York sports fanatic, political junkie, animal lover, amateur novelist, music fan (from doo-wop to modern day), distributor of (mostly!) good advice, practical joker, trivia master, foodie (who was always up for seconds and thirds), counselor to many, and overall lover of life — passed away on July 5, 2024, after an odds-defying 24-year battle with prostate cancer. He was surrounded by his two children, Christine Monterosso and John Monterosso, who were grateful to be able to tell him one more time that he should be so proud of the legacy of the five amazing grandchildren he has left behind, each of whom loved him very much. He was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne, with whom he shared a loving 54-year marriage, and who he never stopped missing once she passed.

Ralph was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Bethpage, and graduated from Plainedge High School, where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and track. He attended college for a short time, then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years. He spent his career as a sales manager for several large companies, including more than two decades at the JM Smucker Company. His true passion, however, was coaching. He coached little league baseball (both his son’s and grandson’s teams), high school varsity basketball, and scouted basketball players for college. In his later years, he dedicated himself fully to his grandchildren by babysitting, attending their events, driving them where they needed to be, and calling them for regular check-ins. He was immensely proud of his entire family.

Ralph will be deeply missed by his daughter Christine, her husband Marc De Leeuw, their children Josh, Adam, and Sara; his son John, his wife Carrie Bearden, their children Zack and Kylie; his sister Laurie Monterosso (who he lovingly referred to as “Laurel Ann”), her son Dave Johnsen, his wife Janna, their children Derick, Eva, and Colton; his sister and brother-in-law Maureen and James Lynch, their children Chelsea Curtin, her husband Brian Curtin, and Dylan Lynch, his wife Jackie; and countless other family members, friends, former players he coached, and bandmates.   

Services celebrating Ralph’s life will take place at Fairchild Sons Funeral Chapel, 1570 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset. Visitation will be on Friday, July 12, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and the funeral will be on Saturday, July 13, at 9:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Safe & Sound Sanctuary, a wonderful non-profit animal rescue group that was near and dear to Ralph and Suzanne’s hearts (www.safeandsoundsanctuary.org or PayPal: Elepore@safeandsoundsanctuary.org).