Ralph (Raffaele) Carnovale

April 25, 1952 Calabria, Italy - March 31, 2021 Oakville, Ontario

Suddenly on March 31st, 2021, Ralph left his beloved wife of 46 years Lesley (nee Ramsay), much loved daughters Michelle (Michael), and Gillian. He was the adored Nonno to Marcus and Makayla, whom he adored in return.

Other family members missing him include his sister Sina (Dana d: 2020), brother Nick (Robin), sister-in-law Sue (Gord), father and mother-in-law James and Isobel, remembered by nieces, nephews and extended family. His friends, both life-long and new, are saddened by this loss. Ralph is predeceased by his father Antonio (Tony) (2015) and mother Angela (2019).

Having survived brain surgery in 1985 and heart surgery in 2000, he showed us what it meant to survive against the odds, something his daughters carry with them daily.

Ralph enjoyed sharing his Italian roots with family and friends. No one made a better baked rigatoni than he did. He was an incredibly hard worker who was respected by his colleagues at Workers Safety and Insurance Bureau, CUPE (Ont Division), Ontario Liquor Board Employees Union, and his clients while advocating for them as a paralegal but his family always came first.

Kinsman and Lions Service Clubs, residents association, PTA, Italian Walk of Fame, madd, and numerous years of Santa portrayal for the community, Girl Guides, and family and friends were ways Ralph gave back to his community.

Supporting Sick Kids Hospital became a priority to Ralph when his granddaughter entered the care of their Cardiology Dept. Even the simple act of tossing many coins into the atrium fountain with Marcus during Makayla's appointments were special to him.

In a final act of giving, Ralph was an organ and tissue donor who has helped over 75 people to date.

An act of kindness or donation to Sick Kids Hospital (Cardiac Program) would be a wonderful remembrance of Ralph's life. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, Oakville.