Ralph J. Rizzo, age 91, passed away August 28, 2018 in Medina, Ohio.  He was born on February 25, 1927 in Canton, Ohio to the late Frank and Carmela (Ruffalo) Rizzo.  Ralph served his country proudly as a Corporal in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He retired as a Captain with the Ohio State Highway Patrol with 32 years of service and went on to be a Safety Supervisor with the Ohio Turnpike Commission for another 14 years.

Ralph served as a longtime member and past president of the Medina Ohio Rotary Club and was also a member of the Lady Lake Rotary Club in Florida.  Ralph was the vice president emeritus of The Ohio Buckeye Club of The Villages, Florida. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the Old Fellows Golf League.  Ralph was a history buff and especially enjoyed reading about the military.

Ralph is survived by his children David (Carol) Rizzo, Joan Rizzo, and Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr.; grandchildren Colleen (Brett) Gerlach, Christopher J., Timothy, and Madeline Rizzo.; great grandchild Cade LaRosa Rizzo; brother Frank Rizzo, Jr., sisters-in-law Louise Rizzo and JoAnn Valentine; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Carolyn Ann (Valentine) Rizzo; his son Steven Rizzo; brother Donald Rizzo; and his sisters Theresa Martino and Lucille Allen.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Medina North and Crossroads Hospice for their incredibly compassionate care.

The family will receive friends  from 4-7:00 pm, Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Waite and Son Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St. Medina.  A memorial service will be held 1:00 pm, Friday, at the funeral home.  A committal service with military honors will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio Parkinson Foundation NE Region, PO Box 271, Tallmadge, OH 44278 or www.ohparkinson.com .

Online condolences may be made at waitefuneralhome.com