Diaz, Ralph Manuel, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. Born in New York, New York in 1920, he lived in Ponce, Puerto Rico in his younger years. He attended technical school in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. Diaz served as Technician 5th Grade Quartermaster Corps in the Aleutian Islands during World War II and was awarded the American Defense Services Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Services Medal.
He relocated to Mahopac, New York after the war and married the late Jean Prosperi. He was partners in the construction business of Purdy and Diaz and then retired to Clearwater, Florida in 1974. An active member of the Monday Night Businessmen?s Countryside Bowling League. Mr. Diaz also enjoyed woodworking, golfing, fishing, and dancing.
Mr. Diaz is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Lillian Estelle Diaz. He is also survived by his devoted sister, Ethel Bromley and all of his children: Ralph Diaz, Warren Diaz, Marta Brooks, Timothy Stewart, Dolores Trefren, Spencer Stewart, and Mary Stewart. Also surviving are grandchildren Jessica, Carly, Jay Charles, Jonathan, David, Michael, Robert, Aaron, Megan and Madison and two great grand children Joshua and Rafael.
A graveside ceremony will be held Tuesday, November 27th at 2:15 p.m. at the Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10, 000 Bay Pines Blvd, North, Bay Pines, Florida 33504-0477. For further information call 727-398-9426. There will be no calling hours.
In his memory, donations in lieu of flowers may be made on-line to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans at www.NCHV.org.
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760
DEAR MOM and FAMILY,
WE ARE ALL SADDEN BY THE LOSS OF RALPH. I KNOW HE IS WATCHING OVER ALL OF YOU AND HAPPY TO BE WITH ALL OF OUR LOVED ONES THAT HAVE GONE ON BEFORE HIM. NO WORDS CAN EVER SAY WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS BUT KNOW THAT I AM WITH YOU AND WILL REMEMBER THE HAPPY TIMES WE HAD HERE IN NEW YORK AND IN FLORIDA. MOM DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN JENNIFER AND I CAME TO VISIT YOU AND RALPH ** SHE MUST HAVE BEEN ONLY 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD. RALPH SHOWED US THE LEMON TREE IN THE BACK YARD AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO MAKE LEMONADE ! WRONG !!
IT WAS THE STRONGEST LEMON IN THE WORLD AND ALL I CAN REMEMBER IS THE FACE THAT PUCKERED UP ON MY DAUGHTER.
PRICELESS!!!!!!!
MARTI and DAVID – THE BOYS CAME TO DINNER ON THURSDAY ALL HAD ENOUGH TO EAT AND THE MEMORIES FLOWED OUT OF “OUR” CHILDREN. THINGS WE NEVER KNEW AND I GUESS BETTER WE DIDN’T KNOW. ALL SURVIVED THEIR CHILDHOOD Soooooooo THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ONCE AGAIN IAM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
MUCH LOVE TO ALL. PAM
Al and I will always remember the good times with you, Ralph, and Lillian. I’m praying for you, Lillian and all your family. Truly, wish I could be with you. Love, In Christ, Roberta
Mary:
I am so sorry to hear about the passing away of your dad. It must be very tough for you.
We know that at this very difficult time in your life, our prayers and wishes are with you and your family.
Please accept our condolences. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Love,
Marie Singh
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family
Dear Aunt Lillian and family,
May all the love around you bring
you strength and consolation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with
all you.
With love and sympathy,
Bobbi Lynn, Jim, Jared and Sean
Dear Aunt Lillian,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Uncle Ralph, please know we are thinking of all of you. Draw on the strength of your family and friends and most of all on God. He promises to comfort us always. Philippians 4:13
We love you,
Chris, Sue, David and Justin
Dear Lily and family,
We will keep you in our prayers, and even thou we are not by your side, we will be there in spirit.
May God be with you all.
Marta, Dave and Family,
I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. I know how loved he was by your family. I am thinking about you and all of your family everyday and hope you are all getting thru this diffcult time.
Love you- Chris , Todd and Madison
Dear Mom, Now that a bit of time has passed and the initial shock has subsided, I want to tell you how much I loved your husband. He always made me feel as if I was one of his children. His loving and giving nature made the visits we shared something very special in my life.
Now that he has gone I will remember him for his unfailing love for you and how he always made us feel welcome, no matter how many of “US” there were.
He was a great soul and I know I will see him again.
Love and peace, David
Lillian: I was so sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. Though I did not know him well, he always made me feel most welcome whenever I stopped by your house for one thing or another.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Shirley
Dear Lilly,
I am so sorry for the lost of your husband and my father-in-law, Ralph. You both have been like parents to me. I loved Ralph and his life was an inspiration for me. I would always give him hugs whenever we meet and someday hug him again. Until then
All my Love,
Jim
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Remember we’re just next door if you need us.
Lillian, Don and i send our condolences Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time We are right across the street if you need us for anything Love Don and Naomi
Dear Lillian, Marti, DeDe, Mary and the Whole Family.
My heart felt sorrow is with all of you. Although I only saw Ralph a few times, I still remember how much fun he was. His laughter will be remembered by myself and all of you. I hope that your sadness at this time is eased by knowing that so many of us are thinking about you.
Love, Deb
Dear Aunt Lilly,
Just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you
Dear Aunt Lillian and Family
We are so sorry to hear that Uncle Ralph has passed away. We will always remember what a fun-loving man he was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Wish we could be with you at this time. Love and miss you,
Stan, Kathy and family
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Aunt Lillian…we are so sorry to hear of Uncle Ralph’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
George, Debbie, Elizabeth and Jillian
Dear Aunt Lily,
My heart is “Brack and Brue” for you. I miss you and I love you. Our prayers are with you now, and also with Marty, Sissy, Dede, Spence,and Mary.
We are so sorry for your loss. Ralph was a friend, even though, we only were together a few times. We will all miss him.