Ralph J. Infante 1925-2009

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NILES - Ralph J. Infante, 83, 214 Belmont Ave., died at 11:02 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at Select Specialty Hospital, Youngstown.

He was born July 17, 1925, in Niles, the son of Mike and Carmela Cipriano Infante Sr.

He was a 1947 graduate of Niles McKinley High School upon completing his service in the United States Navy during World War II.

Ralph was employed as a die setter at Faull and Son Tool and Die Co. for 26 years. He was also employed for the City of Niles as a municipal court bailiff and at the waste water treatment plant for 15 years, retiring in 1990.

He served as a Niles 3rd Ward councilman for five years.

He was a life-long member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Niles, honorary lifetime member of the Niles Men's Democratic Club and the Italian Fraternal Home of Girard. He was also a charter member of the Italian American War Veterans Post 39 in Girard and The Bagnoli Irpino Club.

He enjoyed playing bocce and was an avid New York Yankee and Ohio State Buckeye fan. He also was a major blood donor for the American Red Cross.

Ralph, who never failed a friend and never feared a foe, will be deeply missed by his wife, Angeline Ragozine Infante, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage on April 30; four sons, Joseph Infante and his wife, Mary, of Niles, Steve Infante of Niles, Mayor Ralph A. Infante and his wife, Judy, of Niles, and Larry ''Lance'' Infante and his fiancee, Cindy, of Niles; two daughters, Kathy McGill and her husband, Terry, of Niles, and Trumbull County Clerk of Courts Karen Infante Allen and her husband, Billy, of Niles; two brothers, John Infante and his wife, Esther, of Niles, and Mike Infante and his wife, Patty, of Austintown; a sister, Mary Gallo and her husband, Joseph, of Girard; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Anthony Infante, and a sister, Angie Rounds.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, with the Rev. Larry Frient officiating, preceded by a 9 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home, where the Mount Carmel Bereavement Ministry will conduct prayers at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be at Niles City Cemetery, where Ralph will be honored for his military service by the Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard.

Arrangements are being handled by the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home Inc., Niles.

Condolences can be e-mailed at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.

(special notice)