Ralph Mazzocchi, age 95, of Carnegie, PA passed away peacefully on June 3rd, 2023, after a long and full life. He was born to Antonio and Sarah (Sacco) Mazzocchi on March 14th, 1928, in Pittsburgh, PA; the oldest son of 4 siblings.

After the untimely death of his mother, he traveled with his brothers and sister in 1936 to Naples, Italy to live with family there. They remained there until 1938 when they returned to America to escape the rising tensions of fascism. Ralph shared many fascinating accounts of his time there.

He joined the United States Navy in 1946 and served in post war Guam.

In 1957 he married Helga Graf (Lanier) and together they raised two exceptional sons Rudy and Randy, while operating Better Made and Ralph’s donut shops. In later years he was employed by W. T. Grant department store in Pittsburgh as both a cook and manager of their restaurant, a county auditor, and, finally, working for and retiring from FedEx.

Although his marriage to Helga ended in divorce, in later years they were able to become friends and spoke often.

Ralph married Marie (Donohue) in 1981 and they were blessed with many years together traveling in their RV, spending time with family and visiting as grandchildren and then great grandchildren started coming along. Marie passed suddenly in 2014.

In the years following Marie’s passing, Ralph shared a bond of love and care with his special companion, Carole Dvorak. Together they enjoyed the company of friends, family and their neighbors at Clover Leaf Estates and were together until Ralph’s passing.

Ralph told the best stories, made the best sauce and hot sausage, tried his hand at homemade wine (with mixed results), was a whiz at doing math in his head, was a great bowler, and was the originator of silly Pap jokes. His smile was contagious, and his humor infectious. He was an instant friend to anyone he met and could find common ground and connections with even a brief encounter.

Ralph was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Nancy (Valduga), brother Salvatore, his wife Marie, and his sons Rudy (2022) and Randy (2021).

He is survived by his brother Tony (Lilly) Mazzocchi of Chaparral, Texas, his daughters in law Mary Beth and Caroline; his grandchildren Mary Amanda (Zachary) Sweet, Sara (Gregory) Cebulski, Anna (Mike) McHenry and Lucas (Avery Logan) Mazzocchi; great grandchildren Amara and Elsa Sweet and Ada and Lila Cebulski, his niece Nancy Duss, grandnephew Frank (Heidi) Duss, grandniece Barb (John) Nocine and many other nieces and nephews in Marionville, PA, Texas, and Colorado.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kane – especially Terry, Michelle, Joe, Arthur, receptionist Cynthia and Bridges Hospice for their care.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the SZAFRANSKI-EBERLEIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., where family and friends will be received on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 10-11:30AM, at 101 Third Street, Carnegie. A Blessing Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

www.szafranski-eberleinfuneralhome.com (412)276-1107