WATERBURY – Mr. Ralph “Babe” S. Vegliante, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Waterbury Hospital. He was the loving husband of Anne (Scavuzzo) Vegliante.
Born in Waterbury on April 3, 1925, Ralph was the son of the late Steve and Vincenza (Dede) Vegliante. Ralph was a graduate of Duggan Grammar School and Crosby High School, class of 1943. He was a proud World War II U.S. Army veteran.
He began working at Benrus while learning TV repair. He repaired televisions and installed antennas until he began his career with the City of Waterbury, Fire Department. He served as a firefighter for 25 years until his retirement in 1980. After his retirement, Ralph did roofing for several additional years.
Ralph was a longtime member of the VFW Post 7790 in the Brooklyn section of Waterbury, a 29-year member of the Waterbury B.P.O. ELKS No. 265, and belonged to the Willow Plaza Senior Center. He was very active with the American Italian Civic Club (A.I.C.C.) for over 45 years, and served as permittee for 17 of those years. He was also a member of the Western Chapter of AARP No. 2127, and served as a past president and hospitality chairman for two years prior to the chapter disbanding.
Ralph played semi-pro football for the Waterbury Indies, and enjoyed playing setback with his friends at the club. He and his wife traveled extensively and took many trips with the Gadabouts group.
In addition to Anne, his devoted wife of 57 years, Ralph is survived by his daughter, Judy Vegliante of Waterbury, and her partner, Ken Sherman. He also leaves several generations of nieces and nephews, including his nieces, Regina Vegliante-Fidger and her husband, Ted, of Colorado, and Michele Pizzuto and her husband, Bill, of Middlebury. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael Vegliante, and his sister, Isabel Iosa.
Ralph’s funeral will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury, to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a Mass at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions in Ralph’s name may be made to: the American Italian Civic Club, 476 Boyden St., Waterbury, CT 06704.
For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences, please visit maioranofuneralhome.com.
