Ralph F. Yenzi, 85, Punxsutawney, died Sunday, May 19, 2019, at Mulberry Square.
He was born July 4, 1933, in Anita, a son of the late Angelina (Villella) and John Yenzi.
He was first married Elizabeth J. “Bette” Constantino on January 21, 1961, she preceded him in death on February 26, 1980. Then on July 22, 1989, he married Margaret A. “Peggy” (Brocious) Yenzi, who survives.
Ralph was a Punxsutawney High School Class of 1953 graduate. He was a member of Ss.C.D. Church where he served as an Usher and also served as a Chair for the Lawn Festival. He was a fourth degree Knight and District Deputy with The Knights of Columbus and a member of the Eagles.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.
He attended Niagara University and graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Education. He then attended Cosmetology School in Altoona. He was the first cosmetology instructor at Jeff-Tech and taught there from 1969 to 1993. He also owned and operated his own beauty shop until 2015. He was very influential and made a great impact on his students’ lives.
Ralph enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, softball, bowling, going to casino’s, traveling, gardening, cooking, and was an avid sports fan. He also enjoyed taking cross country Winnebago trips. He was a member of the Punxsutawney Sports Hall of Fame and was a player on the 1952 Championship Basketball Team. He loved his pet German Shepherds Bella and Bella II.
He was known for being a great seller of many raffle tickets. Ralph could be found hanging out at Carulli’s Garage, the donut shop, or Stello Foods. He was an original member of the Elk Run Street Gang.
In addition to his wife Peggy, he is survived by two children, son Damian Yenzi and wife Ann of Pittsburgh, and daughter Lynne Stello and husband Chris of Punxsutawney; four grandchildren, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Abbey Stello, and Damian Yenzi; two brothers James “Sonny” Yenzi of Anita and John Yenzi and wife Althea of Anita; a sister Suzanne Yenzi of Delaware; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his first wife Bette, and his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, a grandson Dominic F. Stello, a brother Frank Yenzi, four sisters, Rachel Cardamone, Rosemary Bettino, Lucy Yenzi, and Cecilia Borelli, and a step-mother Irene Yenzi.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Deeley Funeral Home, Punxsutawney.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Ss.C.D. Church officiated by Monsignor Joseph Riccardo.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Punxsutawney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ss.C.D. School, 205 N. Chestnut Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.deeleyfuneralhome.com.
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