Obituary of Ralph Mario Antignani

U.S. Navy Veteran Ralph Mario Antignani (Anthony), age 87, of Bridgeport, beloved husband of the late Nicolina DeMasi Antignani went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 9, 2011. He was born November 29, 1924 in Bridgeport to the late Carlo and Adelina (Elena) Nittolo Antignani and was a Bridgeport resident for most of his life having resided at Ludlowe Health Care for the past six years. He was a graduate of Central High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of seventeen forgoing college to fight for his country in World War II. He was a Seaman First Class stationed on the USS Hamlin, a Kenneth Whiting class seaplane tender, from 1944 to 1945. The Hamlins missions were in the Pacific and included operations in Pearl Harbor, Saipan, Ulithi, Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Guam and participated in the Seaplane Base Group, the most important seaplane tending job of the war at Okinawa. The ships were under constant air attack from the Japanese suicide planes and though many of the ships sustained damage the Hamlin successfully fought off all attacks without injury. The USS Hamlin was awarded three battle stars. Following his honorable discharge Ralph traveled across the U.S., flying planes and riding motorcycles. When he returned to Bridgeport he married Nikki and together they had eight children. Ralph was a gifted artist and musically inclined. He played the harmonica and would dance around the house like the pied piper with his children in tow. He was well read and was a published writer. He was a talented athlete having played soccer and football in high school and boxed for the Navy. While he enjoyed watching all sports football remained his passion for his entire life. For most of his career Ralph was a heavy equipment operator and was known as one of the best heavy cable crane operators in the state. He worked for various construction companies including White Oak Construction of NY, was a member of the Operator Engineers Union and was self-employed at the time of his retirement. He had an explosives license and was also a licensed real estate broker. Ralph was a devoted Catholic and was a communicant of St. Patrick Church. He is survived by his loving children, Diana Goldstein and her husband Jerry of Naugatuck, Nancy Long and her husband Ron of Stratford, James Antignani and his girlfriend Charlene Fardy and John Antignani of Bridgeport, Joan Mantone and former husband August of Trumbull and his devoted daughter Teresa Antignani of Bridgeport who tirelessly cared for him and advocated on his behalf. He also leaves to cherish his memory five loving granddaughters, Jessica Telo and her husband Igli of Waterbury, Rachel and Sara Goldstein of Naugatuck and Isabella and Savannah Mantone of Trumbull, and one great-granddaughter, Mia Rose Telo of Waterbury and brother-in-law Joseph DeMasi, sisters-in-law, Rosemary and Gloria Antignani, Nancy English, and Teresa Vitello and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two loving sons, Louis and Joseph Antignani, his sisters, Filomena DelVecchio, Anna Noonan, Regina and Mariana Antignani, and brothers, Sal, Felix and Joseph Antignani. The family would like to thank his caregivers at Ludlowe and Evercare especially Miquel, Emily and Jason. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 6 pm.