Ralph U. Maccarone

Ralph (Raphael) Urban Maccarone, 86, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 6th 2010. He was born May 25, 1924 in Hartford, CT. His life-long love of music began as a youngster, when he sang weekly on the Daddy Couch radio show in Hartford, CT. After graduating from Hartford High School in 1942, he served in the 4th Armored Division during WWII, fought in the European Theater and was awarded a Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. Upon return, he attended Hartt College of Music and received his Bachelors and Master Degrees in music education. In 1950, he married Jane Nackowski of Manchester, CT. Ralph taught music at Illing Junior High School in Manchester for thirty-three years and was also music director and cantor at St. James Church where his wife, Jane, was organist. Ralph was the music director of numerous productions with The Little Theater of Manchester and directed the Manchester Chorale for a number of seasons. He was a firm believer that music was for all, bringing people together as friends. He was a founding member of the Manchester Bicentennial Bandshell Committee and served as program director for over twenty years. Ralph loved gardening, taking pride in his tomato plants that he started from seed every spring. He enjoyed many trips with his family, especially a cross-country camping trip visiting the national parks in the summer of 1966 and numerous trips abroad. Ralph leaves his beloved wife, Jane, of sixty years, and their four children, Catherine Lally and husband Brian of Merritt Island, FL.; grandchildren Erin, Marykate and Michael; Marian Maccarone and husband Stephen Straight of South Windsor, CT; grandchildren Catherine and Giulia Casalino; Teresa Von Loh and husband Kirk of Colorado Springs, CO.; grandchildren Elise Hanks and Emily Von Loh; Ralph Maccarone, Jr. and wife Valerie of Merritt Island, FL.; grandchildren Jaime and Toni. Gone before him and welcoming him are Ralph's parents Mary and Urbano and grandson Rafe Maccarone. He also leaves two brothers Justin Maccarone and wife Lucia and Armand Maccarone and wife Lorraine and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was loved and respected by everyone he came in contact with, befriending all. His family was of utmost importance to him, and he led them by his shining example. He will be dearly missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 31st at 10:00 am at St. Peter Claver Church on 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Manchester Bicentennial Bandshell Corporation c/o Krukas/Legier, 36 Flag Drive, Manchester, CT 06042.