Ralph J. Dello Iacono, of Stoneham, formerly of Winchester and Alton Bay, NH died Sunday at the Winchester Hospital. He was 95.
Ralph was born and raised in the North End, the son of the late Ulisso and the late Rosa (Benincasa) Dello Iacono. For nearly 50 years Ralph and his family operated the famed Dello’s Lodge at Alton Bay, New Hampshire. His Lodge, restaurant and lounge was a welcoming place for generations of travelers and vacationers in the lakes region. A member of the North End lodge of the Sons of Italy, Ralph also wrote a regular column in the Post Gazette. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Pescione) with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. He was a loving father to Ralph J. Dello Iacono and his wife Jeanne of Great Falls, MT and Janice Marino of Stoneham. He was a cherished grandfather to Jenine Wright and her husband Brian of Melrose, Tara Thies and her husband Aaron, Sean Dello Iacono and his wife Courtney all of CA. He was a dear great-grandfather to Madison, Dylann, Eric and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with the family at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Wednesday morning from 8:30 – 9:30 followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 10 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Ralph's name to the Home for Children, 1125 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.
Dear Papa,I will forever cherish our times together with my memories starting as early as 3 years old to Dello Inn on Alton Bay, to your visits to Great Falls which meant we would be lucky enough to have dessert every night and a new toy each day. The times I spent next to you learning the love and art of a good baseball game are forever in my heart. You once told that you , of all people, were a Yankees fan for a short stint until the team let you down and the greats (Babe, DiMaggio's) were gone. Eleven years you said you stuck it out as a Yankee fan. You found heart with the Red Sox's and brought us all with you.
You were a man of style, an entrepreneur, and a good dancer. You told me stories of your lounge and dance hall in Alton Bay and some of the great Jazz musicians who made their way through your establishment as you referred to it.
It was pure magic for me that you were able to meet your great grandson Eric and that we all celebrated Dad & Janice's birthdays together. Your family is your great legacy. You are part of all of us and now see this world through us. We will go on in your name living our lives safely, with honor, gratitude, and simply, to the fullest.
It is a great tribute to your life that you decided to leave us on Father's Day. It is day to honor always.
We love you dearly. Red Sox's & Papa forever!
A sunny afternoon at Dolores Park in San Francisco.
