Obituary of Ralph T. Orrico

Staten Island: Ralph Orrico, 73, formerly of Huguenot Ave., passed away peacefully September 27, 2007 at the Carmel Richmond Nursing Home following a long illness. Born April 3, 1934, he was the son of the late Anthony and Antionette (DeVito) Orrico. Ralph was a lifelong resident of Staten Island where he graduated from the Tottenville High School in 1952. Following high school, Ralph served as a Sergeant in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1963. In 1965, Ralph married Joan (DeRosa) Orrico, who considered him as her gentle giant. Ralph earned his BA and Masters Degree in teaching in 1967 from Oswego Graduate College. He started his teaching career at the New Dorp High School in Staten Island and spent 31 years teaching at the John Jay High School until his retirement in 1991. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Sea RC Church in Staten Island. Ralph enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing, woodworking, and restoring classic cars. He found great joy interacting with nature, in good food, and his mother’s home made bread and biscuits. Ralph loved the Adirondacks and has been visiting the area since 1959. Survivors include his loving wife of 42 years, Joan Orrico; 2 daughters, Audra DeMaio and Andrea Donner, along with 3 grandsons and a granddaughter. A Rite of Committal will be conducted at 1 pm Monday, October 1, at the Saint James Cemetery in North Creek. There are no calling hours scheduled. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Ralph’s memory to the Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845, www.adk.org. for conservation and clean air of the Adirondack mountains. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.