Ralph E. Rich, Sr.

Ralph E. Rich, Sr., 87, of 1725 Eastbrook RD, New Castle, died Friday evening, July 8, 2005 at Golden Hill Nursing Home in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was born July 16, 1917 in New Castle, Pennsylvania the son of Nick and Nicolina (DeSalso) Rich, they precede him in death. He was married for 56 years to the former Virginia Rainey Rich, she survives in New Castle. Mr. Rich was co-owner of Rich & Freed Auto Parts Store in New Castle from 1942 to 2002 with his brother Albert Rich and sister and brother-in-law the late Mary and Alfred Freed. He was a Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1941 to 1945 and earned a Bronze Star for his service. Mr. Rich was a staff sergeant in the Sixth Armored Engineering Division serving under General George Patton and participatede in five European battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. Prior to entering the armed services Mr. Rich worked as a heavy equipment operator at the Mooney Brothers in New Castle as well as at the stone mining operations in Jackson Center in Franklin, PA. In his spare time Mr. Rich enjoyed gardening, traveling and running heavy equipment including a bulldozer and crane and was active dredging a number of small lakes in the area including Cascade Park Lake in New Castle.

In addition to his wife he is survived by, his daughter and her fiancé, Darlene Rich & David Genareo of New Castle, PA, his son & daughter-in-law, Ralph E. Rich, Jr. & Amy Rich of Hubbard, OH, 2 brothers, Albert Rich and Henry Rich of New Castle, PA, 2 sisters, Flora Morgan and Ida Amodie of New Castle, PA, and 2 grandsons, Ralph Rich and Andrew Rich of New Castle, PA.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Eugene Rich, and his sister Mary Freed.

Visitation will be held at the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home on Monday from 4-9 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 12:00 P.M. at St. Lucy Church. Father Kenneth Keene of St. Vincent de Paul Parish will be officiating. A funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 11:30 am. Burial will be in the St. Lucy Cemetery in New Castle. The New Castle Area Honor Guard will perform a Military Funeral Service at the Cemetery.