Ralph Anthony Rossi, Sr. died Oct. 7, 2012, at the age of 78.

Mr. Rossi was a resident of Oakhurst for 24 years.

He was born Dec. 17, 1933 in Chieti, Italy.

Mr. Rossi graduated from Columbia College and Harvard University's Business School.

He was an active duty officer in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1958, and retired as a commander from the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1993.

Mr. Rossi served in corporate leadership positions for international firms in New York and California and owned and operated a family restaurant in Felton before retiring in 2005. In his retirement, he worked part-time in corporate management, tax preparation and U.S. Census Bureau survey supervision.

He volunteered for Boy Scouts of America, the American Youth Soccer Organization, Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library and Children's Hospital, Central California.

Mr. Rossi enjoyed making others laugh and helping others.

He was preceded in death by brothers John and Louis F. Rossi, and nephews Brian and Andrew Girouard.

Mr. Rossi is survived by wife of 54 years, Martha A. (Sidlowski) Rossi; daughters Anne Marie Rossi and husband Jon Goldman of Acton, Mass., and Elaine E. Rossi and husband V. Ted Leon of Honolulu, Hawaii; sons Ralph A. Rossi and wife Nancy Brunsvold of Bellevue, Wash., Andrew F. Rossi and wife Courtenay Reese Rossi of Potomac, Md., and Louis F. Rossi and wife Tammy of Newark, Del.; nine grandchildren; in-laws Marie Rossi of New York and Stanley and Irene Sidlowski of New Jersey; five nieces and nephews; and 10 grand-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.