Ralph J. Baldelli Jr., 65, of New Fairfield, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. He was the loving husband of Christine (Huber) Baldelli.
Ralph was born on September 22, 1959 in Danbury, CT; a son of Ida (Alhage) and the late Ralph Baldelli. He was a proud graduate of Danbury High School, and often claimed that he bled blue and orange. Ralph and his F.C.I.A.C. Champion High School football team of 1976 were inducted into the Danbury High School Hall of Fame in 2022. Ralph and Christine Baldelli married in 2006, and blended their family to become the father of 4 children. Ralph worked as a wine and spirits salesman for Hartley and Parker Limited.
Ralph worked for Hartley and Parker Limited for 38 years as a wine and spirits salesman. Throughout the years Ralph has formed many special friendships with his customers and worked hard to assist them with their businesses. Prior to his illness, Ralph enjoyed speaking about wines at Pappadellas Wine dinners and the Ridgefield Holiday Festival.
Ralph was a basketball coach at Danbury High School, New Fairfield High School, and Ridgefield High School while also coaching his children's youth basketball teams. His proudest accomplishment was founding the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Officials Association in 2007. Ralph has assigned and officiated all High School Lacrosse games throughout the year. When his illness sidelined him he began watching and evaluating his officials to assist them in improving their skills. This past year, Ralph was named NILC Man of the Year and Official of the Year for the work he has done on the lacrosse field. He will be inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame Connecticut Chapter, as an elected official in January of 2025.
In addition to his father, Ralph was predeceased by his brother, Pastor Gary Baldelli, and stepfather Richard Kilcourse.
Family and friends will be received on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at His Vineyard Christian Fellowship; 2 Vail Road, Bethel with a funeral service to be offered at 6:00 PM. Interment will take place privately.
Contributions in Ralph’s memory may be made to the Danbury High School Ralph Baldelli Jr. Scholarship Fund: 43 Clapboard Ridge Road; Danbury, CT 06811. Please make checks payable to the Ralph Baldelli Jr. Scholarship Fund.
Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, Danbury is in care of arrangements.