Youngstown - There will be a Funeral Service held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, with Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw officiating for Ralph E. Thomas, 91, of Youngstown, who passed away on June 25, 2011 with his loving wife by his side. Ralph will always be remembered and loved by his family and friends. He was born August 31, 1919 in Youngstown the son of William and Ann (Massey) Thomas. Ralph was a graduate of The Rayen High School and became a Representative of The Labor Movement for more than fifty years. He was employed by the Laborers International Union, Local #125, AFL-CIO, serving in various capacities all of his life. Ralph was a Business Manager, President and Recording Secretary of the Youngstown Local Union. Later he represented the Union as the Assistant Administrator for the Ohio Laborers Fringe Benefit Program on the International level in the New Orleans region. His steady advancement carried him from Youngstown, Ohio to Buffalo, New York, and then to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to serve as Foreman. Ralph held the position of Foreman and general foreman for the following companies; A.E. Anderson Construction Company and International Chimney Company both in Buffalo, New York, J.D. Fowler Construction Company and A.P. O'Horo Construction Company both in Youngstown, Ohio, and Eichley Construction Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This included the dismantling and rebuilding of blast furnaces, stoves and all components used in the process of making steel. In 1967 while employed for the Laborers' International Union of North America and the United States Labor Department. Ralph successfully completed all phases of programming for the Manpower Development and Training Act (MDTA) in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. During development of these programs he helped establish the labor training and upgrading programs in Ohio, for construction workers. In 1970 Ralph was appointed Assistant Administrator of the Fringe Benefit Program for Ohio, developing process and implementation for collecting delinquent accounts. From this position he was hired by the International Laborers Union of North America and worked in the Akron Regional office, assisting in Trusteeships, jurisdictional disputes, and contract negotiations. He then worked for Peter Fosco who became the regional manager. Ralph loved cars, golfing, bowling and all types of trains along with collecting them. He leaves behind to hold on to his memories his beloved wife of over 38 years the former Johanna Geordan whom he married October 1, 1977, two daughters Beverly Timmons of Columbus and Donnita Booker of Dayton, three sisters Dorothy Branch and Beverly Blackshear and Naomi Byrd all of Youngstown, along with grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a son Larry Thomas, a brother William "Bill" Thomas, and two sisters Elizabeth Moore and Anita Martin. Friends may call on Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Friday, July 1, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. until 10:50 a.m. all at the Rossi & Santucci funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Burial will take place at Forest lawn Memorial Park, Boardman. Family and friends may view this obituary, send condolences and sign the guest book by visiting www.rossisantuccifh.com. Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home Dedicated To Your Loved Ones