Ralph Villano, 1929-2020

Ralph was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Potenza, Italy, the son of Rocco and Mary Villano, and came to this country and the area as a young man.

Ralph was the past president of Youngstown Wholesale Grocery Company, a family-run business in Youngstown and Austintown for more than 100 years. He was active in the day-to-day operations for more than 60 years. His motto at the office was, “The employees work with me, not for me.”

Ralph emigrated from Potenza, Italy, to the U.S. at 21 years old and settled in New York, where he worked part-time in a grocery store. Later, he worked in sales for the Prince Macaroni Company while in New York. Ralph then moved to Youngstown to work at his uncle Sam’s company, which later became Youngstown Wholesale Grocery Company.

Ralph married his first wife, the former Helen D’Altorio in 1958. Helen passed away in 1993.

He leaves his second wife, the former Donna Rossi, whom he married July 7, 2001. Ralph also leaves his two sons, Joseph (Michelle) Villano and James (Vickie) Villano, both in Canfield; a grandson, Brandon Villano of Los Angeles; two granddaughters, Dr. Svetlana Villano of Las Vegas and Victoria Villano of Canfield; four stepdaughters, Donna (Jim) Soda of Florida, Nancy (Christopher) Lacich of Canfield, Esther Rossi of Nevada and Toni Ann (Paul) Carafotes of California; and three grandchildren, Nicolette Lynne Lacich, Natalie Lynne Lacich and Gianna Grace Huartson.

Besides his parents, and his first wife, Ralph was preceded in death by two sisters, Josephine Zitolo and Margie Santry, and one brother, Michael Villano.

Friends may call 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Lane Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, and again 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10 a.m.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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