Ralph J. Pelosi II

Ralph J. Pelosi II of Middletown, New York passed away from advanced late-stage Vascular Dementia on August 9, 2026 at 2:14am at the Veterans Village located at the Castle Point Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wappinger Falls, New York with his son Ralph, and niece, Candice Carillo by his side. He was 93 years old.

He was the youngest son of the late Raffaele and Jennie Pelosi, both immigrants from Naples and Cosenza Italy respectively, arriving in New York City in the early 1900’s. He was born at home as a first-generation Italian-American on January 2, 1933 on Matthews Avenue in the Bronx, New York and survived his 6 siblings Andrew, Salvatore, Lena, Jean, Connie, and Elsie.

In his early years, after attending Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, Ralph worked as an Auto Mechanic Helper for a Lincoln-Mercury Garage in New York City to help support his mother.

After meeting his soon to be spouse Marguerite at a public dance at Turn Hall in the Bronx in 1956, the couple married two years later on November 15, 1958, briefly lived in the Bronx, then later relocated to Middletown, New York where he initially worked as a mechanic at small gas stations applying his experience and military training as a vehicle mechanic. He was hired by Ford and worked on the auto and truck assembly lines at the Ford Motor Plant (Mahwah Assembly in Mahwah, New Jersey) which at the time, was the largest vehicle assembly plant in the United States employing over 5,000 workers and produced over 6 million vehicles, before closing in 1980.

He left the auto industry for employment with the State of New York in the Division of Youth Corrections, then left the State of New York working briefly as a Title Abstractor before returning to and retiring from the New York State Department of Corrections (DOCCS) on December 22, 1994, after 33 years of service at age 61, ending his career as a Youth Division Aide IV, in the New York State Division for Youth, at the Goshen Secure Center in Goshen New York.

Shortly after, not content with retirement, Ralph returned to full-time employment with Allied Universal (AlliedBarton Security Services) as a Security Guard assigned to various contracted guard duties at Horton Memorial Hospital, Garnet Hospital, Wakefern Food Distribution Center, RSR Revere Smelting & Refining Corporation, and finally at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown, New York where he enjoyed his work and friendships until April 2020 when the COVID-19 Pandemic closed the Mall. He was a young 87 years old.

Ralph was a decorated Korean War Veteran. He was drafted, and served from March 17, 1953 - March 11, 1955 in hostile combat zones attached to the Eight Army, 396th Transportation Company, which provided vital frontline logistics and supply transport for critical supplies, ammunition, and soldiers between rear distribution points and front lines, operational field transport, and assisting with medical and ambulance evacuation runs during heavy offensives. Prior to his deployment to Korea, he completed Basic Training at Fort Dix New Jersey and was then assigned to the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Dix where he received 8 weeks of Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Training in 1953. He was honorably separated from service at Camp Kilmer New Jersey in March 1955.

While stationed in Korea, during a convoy Ralph was assigned to, a 5-Ton truck over turned and caught fire trapping the driver inside. Without regard for himself, Ralph ran to the vehicle, climbed into the cab, and freed the trapped driver pulling him out of the cab dragging him to safety. For his valor, he was promoted to the rank of CPL (T) (Corporal E-4). In addition, he was later awarded the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Ralph was a reliable hard worker and homebody who, more than anything, enjoyed being home with his family and working around his house. When not at work, you could find him working on the family vehicles, tending to the lawn and landscaping, organizing his tools, tending to his work bench, cleaning the garage, shed, driveway, and working on various projects always making sure things were in order and working properly. He enjoyed relaxing on the back deck, cooking on the grill, napping on his deck lounge chair, and watching TV with a fondness for westerns, comedies, action movies, and football.

Never pretentious, always quiet and reserved with a smile, the most important things in his life were his wife Marguerite, children, and pets.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years Marguerite Pelosi of Middletown, New York, daughter Janet Pelosi of Middletown, New York, and son Ralph Pelosi of Poughkeepsie, New York. He will always be remembered, loved, and missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 21, 2026 from 3pm-6pm at the Martinez-Morse Funeral Home located at 33 Railroad Avenue Middletown, New York.

Mass and burial will be held on Saturday August 22, 2026 beginning at 11am at the Church of St. Joseph, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, New York.

Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 845-343-6023.

After services, a small reception will be held at Cosimo’s Brick Oven Ristorante & Bar located at 620 Route 211 in Middletown, New York.