Ralph Ducceschi

Oak Park Hills Chapel

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Ralph J. Ducceschi 
 
Sept. 18, 1922 - March 16, 2013 
Resident of Walnut Creek 
 
Ralph James Ducceschi, Walnut Creek resident since 1973, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the age of 90. Born in Exeter, PA on September 18, 1922, Ralph was the eighth of nine children, the seventh of seven sons born in the family, and one of three to be born in the United States. The other six siblings were born in Italy. Ralph being the next to the last child and the last son held a special place in his family. He was a good student and did very well in school. So well in fact, he was advanced several grades which resulted in his early graduation from high school at the age of 16. 
After graduation, it was time to find a job. His father, Pietro Ducceschi, and all but one of his older brothers worked in the coal mines, but Ralph was forbidden to even get close to the mines so he had to look elsewhere for employment. He found work with a road construction crew and in later years attributed his back problems to that work from his early years. 
As World War II approached, Ralph became a member of the Army Air Corps and was stationed in Wichita Falls, TX and overseas in England where he worked in the supply division for a B-29 bomber squadron. 
In 1942, while in Wichita Falls, TX, Ralph met and later married Julia L. Snodgrass from Edmond, OK. After the war ended and he was honorably discharged, the couple left Wichita Falls and moved to the farm in Oklahoma with Julia's parents for a few months to live with in-laws James and Bessie Snodgrass. During that time, he learned about gardening and raising vegetables, farm life, country cooking and most importantly - pecan pie! The love of gardening, country cooking, and especially pecan pie remained with him throughout the remainder of his life. 
After a few months, it was decided a move to Denver, CO was in order, so Ralph and Julia embarked on their adventures together far away from any family or friends. Ralph had passed through Denver during his military service and had been taken with the beauty and majesty of the area and felt like it would be a wonderful place to live when the opportunity presented itself. Apparently the description was enticing enough that Julia agreed to the move sight unseen. 
Shortly after their arrival in the Mile High City, they found an apartment owned by Bill and Ruth Barlow. Over the next five years, the couples became best friends and remained so for over 50 years. Many happy memories were made with Bill and Ruth during those years. During that time, the happy news was revealed that Ralph and Julia would finally become parents and in May of 1951, their daughter, Kay Lynne was born. Six weeks later, Ralph and Julia moved into their first home with their brand new daughter. They would live there for the next twelve years. 
When the couple first arrived in Denver, Ralph pounded the pavement daily going from business to business seeking employment. He travelled by city bus each day as they couldn't afford a car at that point in time. After days of inquiries, Ralph walked into Denver Stationary and they were looking for a salesman. After an interview with the owner, Mr. Peckman, Ralph was hired and began his life long career of selling office supplies and equipment. He remained at Denver Stationary for the next 17 years and grew to love and respect Mr. Peckman who proved to be a wonderful boss and mentor. 
In 1963, after Mr. Peckman's death, it was time to seek employment elsewhere, and Ralph began the search for employment again. He heard that Burroughs Corporation was looking for a salesman for the Rocky Mountain region that stretched from the Canadian border above N. Dakota down to the Mexico border in New Mexico. He interviewed for the position and was hired. It was then he literally became the proverbial travelling salesman! He would go on extended road trips every other month for two to three weeks at a time and managed to see all his accounts in person at least two times each year. His desk in the basement was a classic work of organized chaos and no one was allowed to touch the stacks to tidy anything unless the assignment was given to his daughter to file the invoices in the drawers. His customers valued his service and expertise and appreciated the attention he gave to each of their accounts. 
During this same time, it was decided a move was in order and Ralph and Julia began looking for a new home. They found an empty lot across town in southwest Denver and many trips were taken on weekends to check out the building methods and materials used by the builder who owned the lot. After months of serious consideration and many weekend visits, the decision was made, the lot purchased and the new home set in motion. It was a very busy time deciding on the style of brick and every other decorative aspect of the new home. Julia was in her element and Ralph was taking full part in planning as well. A professional landscape designer was hired and plans produced for the rocks, trees, plants and all the finer details for a beautiful yard front and back. Ralph had the heavy work done by the professionals, but the purchase and planning of all the annuals and smaller plants and foliage were planted and installed by Ralph, Julia, and Kay. When it was completed, this home was beautiful inside and out. Ralph spent many happy hours caring for the house and yard. 
During his years in Denver, Ralph discovered the Gunnison, CO area high in the Rocky Mountains and found a set of cabins for rent right on the Gunnison River. He loved trout fishing and especially fishing in rivers and streams. This location became one of his favorites, and many weeks of vacations and quick weekend trips were made in springs and summers to fish the Gunnison River in search of the perfect Rainbow Trout - his favorite. Family and friends occasionally joined the fun and this area became almost a second home. Many treasured memories were made in this beautiful location. 
 
In 1967, another position opened up in the Burroughs organization and Ralph was offered a position as the west coast sales rep which would mean less travel and more pay. A trip was made to check on housing opportunities and locations and possible employment opportunities for Julia as well. It was decided, Ralph would move to California to assume his new position, but Julia and Kay would remain in Denver to continue with work and school. Ralph would travel home on weekends whenever he was able to do so and as often as the pocket book allowed. This pattern continued until January, 1973, when Julia was finally able to secure equal employment and salary in the Bay Area thus making them Walnut Creek, CA residents from that time on. 
Within a few months, a new lot was chosen for a home, builder researched, and the building and planning began for their new dream home. This would be their home for the remainder of their lives. Ralph was particularly excited that he would realize the dream of having his own swimming pool and a larger, dedicated garden plot. Landscaping was purchased and planted and a pond for Koi Carp was even created in the corner complete with a natural stone waterfall which Ralph and his son-in-law Gregg Virgin put in themselves and worked on numerous times during the following years. The fish that were purchased were named and watched over carefully through the years and as the neighborhood raccoons found them, their loss was sorely felt. 
Ralph continued to work for Burroughs Corporation until he was offered an early retirement at the age of 58. The bonus package was such that the offer couldn't be refused, so time was finally available to pursue other interests and soon hobbies in photography and wood working were begun and immensely enjoyed. As Julia was still working full time, Ralph took over the cooking during the work week, which he also enjoyed a great deal. One of his favorite activities was weekend grilling on the BBQ with friends and family. 
Upon Julia's retirement from her many years as a Federal Government employee in 1992, the couple continued their respective hobbies, dealt with a few health issues along the way, and they were also able to travel to spend time with family and friends. They had always talked about taking a cruise and were in the planning stages of that adventure when Julia was diagnosed with cancer. After two full years in remission, she discovered the cancer had returned and spread and in January of 1999, Ralph found himself to be a widower. It can be said that he was the model of perfect care giving and no task or amount of time spent was ever too much for him. Ralph and Julia were married for 56 and half years. 
Shortly thereafter, Julia's older brother Afton Snodgrass passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer as well. Within a few months, his widow Joyce was invited to come to visit and shortly thereafter, Ralph and Joyce's relationship began. In November, 2003 they were married. The highlight of their time together was the tour they took to Italy where they enjoyed seeing many cities and Ralph was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing the country where his family was from. They were able to visit Northern Italy and see the beautiful Tuscany countryside where his ancestors had lived. This was a highlight of his life. 
For the last few years, Ralph had been dealing with health issues typically associated with the passing years. In September, 2013, Ralph reached a milestone in his family by becoming the first person to reach the age of 90: truly an event to celebrate. His recent months had been spent in and out of the hospital and extended care facilities due to recurring bouts with pneumonia. Finally on March 16, 2013, his life journey ended and he left to return home again to be with family and friends that had gone on before. 
Ralph will be remembered by friends and family with great love and affection. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Kay, son-in-law Gregg Virgin, grandsons Shane, Christopher, Jonathan, and Bryan Virgin, and great-grandchildren Nathan, Julia, and Nicolas Virgin. 
Memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at the Oak Park Hills Chapel in Walnut Creek and he will be laid to rest in Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette. 
 
 
 
 
 






Visitation
Thursday, March 21, 2013
10:30 am-11:30 am
OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL
3111 N. MAIN ST.
Walnut Creek CA 94597

Funeral Service
Thursday, March 21, 2013
11:30 am
OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL
3111 N. MAIN ST.
Walnut Creek CA 94597

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