Ralph H. Gallo

Ralph H. Gallo of Riverhead entered into eternal rest on the evening of Jan. 18, 2013. Born May 27, 1922, to Henry D. Gallo and Elizabeth Juliano, he was affectionately known to many as “Sonny.”

Sonny was predeceased by his parents and sisters, Irene Tamargo and Philomena “Dolly” Corrigan. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Helen; daughters Linda (James, deceased) Turner, Sandra (Gerard) Doroski and Helen (Thomas) Santacroce; grandchildren James, Karen, Elizabeth, Patricia, Kathleen, Christina, Jennifer, Gerard, Nancy, Brian, Amanda, Andrew and Allyson; and 16 great-grandchildren.

A lifelong resident of Riverhead, Sonny was drafted into World War II in January 1942 at the young age of 19. He served in the 82nd Airborne, 505th regiment, Company D as a paratrooper. During the invasion of Normandy he suffered an injury when a fuel truck exploded. With shrapnel in his leg, unable to walk, he was left on the battlefield. Sonny was found by civilians in occupied France and was hidden in their attic for two weeks before returning to battle with another unit passing through. He was discharged from the United States Army in December 1945.

Upon returning from war, Sonny went into the trucking business, establishing his own company, R.H.G Trucking. His love for traveling led him on adventures up and down the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida. Following his father’s passing in 1970, he took a position as manager of Bushwick Commission Company for over 15 years until the company was sold. He retired from his last career at Lebanon Chemical. Sonny, a well-loved and cherished man of the community, will be dearly missed by family and friends. 

The family received visitors Monday, Jan. 21, at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead, where a funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 22. Interment followed at Riverhead Cemetery on Roanoke Avenue. 

This is a paid notice.