Saratoga Springs, NY- Mr. Ralph William Grasso Jr, age 91, of 10 Oak St, Saratoga Springs, NY passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on December 29, 2024 at Saratoga Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family at the time of his passing.

Ralph was born on November 29, 1933 in Saratoga Springs, NY.  He attended St. Peter's Academy from kindergarten until his graduation in 1951. He joined the Air Force, attended Basic Training at Sampson in Geneva, NY and served in Mississippi, Korea, Japan and Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY.  In February 1957, Ralph married Delores A. Blanchard of Rome, NY.  After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Ralph and Delores resided in Saratoga Springs, NY from 1957 until the time of his death.  While working for GE, he took a leave of absence and attended Hudson Valley Technical Institute, graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree.  Ralph returned to GE and worked at their Knolls Atomic Power Facility until his retirement in 1991. Not one to sit still, Ralph then took over his father's Italian Ice business and became known as "Lemon Ice" for many years. A true joy in his life was seeing children and watching them grow and then bringing their own children to enjoy a lemon ice.

Ralph was a lifelong faithful communicant of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.

He was predeceased in death by his parents Ralph Grasso Sr and Christine (Cappello) Grasso; his infant brother Joseph (1931); his brother Joseph Victor (2007) and his granddaughter Camille Isabel (1997).

Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years Delores; daughters Christine (David) Lewis of Saratoga Springs, NY; Sharon Grasso (John Wason) of Flagstaff, AZ; Mary Grasso of St. Augustine, FL; and sons Ralph III (Carol) of Ballston Spa, NY and Michael of S. Glens Falls, NY; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Ralph enjoyed trying to "fix/improve" anything he got his hands on, anything from toys to electronics to appliances to snowblowers.  Not always successfully!  He did not believe in the wise proverb "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Ralph was a member of the Eagles and R.E.A.C. Club, Post 35 of the Italian American War Veterans, Principessa Elena Society, Post 420 of the VFW and Chapter 60 of the Korean War Veterans. Ralph was known for his dry wit, loved to entertain, play bocce, cards and march in parades as a proud Korean War Veteran. He was also an avid camper with his trusty Holiday Rambler trailer and, beginning in 1965, his family of 7 spent many summers camping and having great fun.

In accordance with his wishes, Ralph has donated his earthly body to science with the hope that doctors might improve existing medical procedures or discover and develop new and better procedures to give his family and humankind a chance for an improved quality of life.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  A funeral home service will be held at 1pm.  Burial with military honors will take place at the family plot in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave.  Reception following at the Principessa Elena Society.