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Ralph Casciato

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | September 13, 2024

Ralph Casciato, age 94, of White Oak, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Ralph was born on February 11, 1930 and raised in Rankin, PA. He is the son of the late Cesidio Casciato and Antoinette Falcone Casciato. Ralph was married to the late Eleanor Tomko Casciato for 65 years when she passed away in January, 2023. A loving father and grandfather, he is survived by sons Chris (Lisa) Casciato of New York City and Southampton, NY and Greg Casciato of Port Chester, NY, as well as grandchildren Jack, Kate, Will, James and Teddy Casciato. He is also survived by his sister Matilda Nucci of Chalfant, PA. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by sisters Mary Latinovic and Lena Sciulli of Rankin, PA and Ann Mantia of Swissvale, PA.

After graduating from Rankin High School, Ralph joined the US Air Force. When he finished his military service, he attended and then graduated from Duquesne University. Along with his wife Eleanor, Ralph was employed by the McKeesport Area School District. He served as a teacher and counselor at McKeesport Junior High School and then as Vice-Principal of Francis McClure Junior High School. Later, he went to work for Allegheny County as the Manager of Administration for the Department of Development and then as Executive Director of Allegheny County Works Inc., a non-profit agency that provided paid work for unemployed adults while teaching them job skills in the construction trades. A former Chair of the White Oak Democratic Committee, Ralph also served on the White Oak Borough Council. He was also a member of the White Oak American Legion.

Ralph and Eleanor would frequently get together with friends at the Holiday House supper club in Monroeville to enjoy the lineup of celebrity entertainers. After the club closed, the gang opted for an annual trip to Las Vegas, which they made for 25 straight years. Ralph enjoyed the arts, particularly music, and was proud to have once shaken hands with Frank Sinatra during one of his concerts at the Civic Arena. Eleanor and he also had the privilege of attending a reception honoring Luciano Pavarotti at Heinz Hall.

Lovers to travel, Ralph and Eleanor were able to visit most of the world. Favorite places included Italy, Germany and Eastern Europe. When not traveling, Ralph enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his sons and his grandchildren. His entire family got together for an annual summer picnic at White Oak Park for more than 40 years. An avid cook, he also loved getting together with his sisters to make sausage or jar tomatoes and hot peppers.

Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at STRIFFLER’S OF WHITE OAK CREMATION AND MORTUARY SERVICES, INC., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, Supervisor, 412-678-6177). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Mary, Mother of God Parish, St. Angela Merici Church, 1640 Fawcett Avenue, White Oak, PA 15131. Entombment next to his beloved wife will follow at Grandview Cemetery.

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com.

Originally published September 13, 2024.

Other deaths:
"Joseph P. Como" || "Kenneth Samuel Robb"