Mineral Ridge - There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown, with the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio officiating for Ralph A. Leone, 60, of Mineral Ridge, who passed away early Saturday morning, January 15, 2011 with his loving family by his side.

Ralph will always be remembered and loved by his family and friends. Throughout his life Ralph has touched many lives. Everyone who knew Ralph felt that they were the most important person to him and that somehow they were his 'Favorite". His gift was his love to so many. He was born April 6, 1950 in Youngstown, Ohio.

Ralph was a 1967 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and attended Youngstown State University where he was active in the Newman Center on campus prior to his entry into the United States Air Force. He served in the United States Air Force from 1969 until 1973. With Ralph's great love of food he attended and graduated Cum Laude in Restaurant Management from the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute in 1997.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown and was an alter server at the church under Rev. Msgr. Vito Franco. Ralph was an avid lover of sports, billiards, bowling, softball, and golf where he was in various leagues. He was a salesman by trade and worked throughout the Mahoning Valley.

In 2004 he was stricken with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). In September 2009 he was named Goodwill Ambassador for the local MDA/ALS. Through a major fundraiser over $8,000.00 was raised for the ALS research in Ralph's name. For the last 3 years Ralph made his home at Briarfield at the Ridge Nursing Facility in Mineral Ridge where he was well taken care of by the entire staff and management.

He leaves behind to hold on to his precious memories, his mother Ann Leone of Boardman, his father Dominic A. (Angie) Leone of Cape Coral, Florida, three sisters Patti (Dan) Rossi and Diana Leone both of Boardman, and Lynda (Vince) Yurak of Mentor, three nieces Marcella (Vito) Consiglio, and Goddaughters Leanna (Steve) Pipala and Cariann Yurak, a nephew Vince Yurak, three great nephews Luke, Godson Zachary, and John Paul Pipala, two great nieces Isabella and Giuliana Consiglio, and two Godchildren Matt Clemens and Don Hanni IV. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Ralph and Corinna Pesa and paternal grandparents Patsy and Ida Leone.

Ralph's family will receive friends on Monday, January 17, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. all at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 343 Via Mount Carmel, Youngstown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.

Ralph was loved by everyone who knew him. The care and dedication given to him by the Briarfield staff was truly immeasurable. The Leone family deeply appreciates all the attention and loved showered on Ralph during his stay at Briarfield. Ralph's journey was blessed with so many eager to help him.

Friends and family may view this obituary and send condolences by visiting www.rossisantuccifh.com.

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