LIBERTY—Ralph Andrew Naples, 96, passed away Monday, February 22, 2016, at his home with his family at his side.
Ralph was born June 16, 1919, in Youngstown the son of Andrew and Mary Carmen Agnone Naples.
He was a 1937 graduate of The Rayen School and graduated from The Youngstown College in Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering in 1941. He began his engineering career with the Trojan Powder Company in Sandusky, Ohio, in support of the war effort.
Ralph was a World War II U. S. Army Air Corp veteran and served as a Bombardier and Navigator on both the B-17 and the B-29 aircraft, obtaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After returning from the war, Mr. Naples worked at his parents' restaurant, The Golden Dawn Restaurant, with his sister Carmel, brother Carmen, and brother-in-law Timothy Curtin. It was there that he developed a market in the Northeastern Ohio and Western PA restaurant region for an innovative post war product called the "Ice Making Machine."
On October 6, 1951, Ralph and Catherine Shurack became lifelong partners for 65 years.
Ralph , with his brother, Carmen passionately continued the tradition that his parents set before them of owning and operating the Golden Dawn Restaurant, which was established in 1934. He devoted a great deal of his time to the ideals of the Golden Dawn Restaurant, providing affordable food, and philanthropic community support with this brother Carmen.
He was a member of St. Edward Church and St. Columba Parishes. Ralph, with his brother Carmen, were great supporters of Ursuline High School and Youngstown State University for many years.
Mr. Naples was the father of nine children. He leaves to cherish his memory, sons Andrew (Angela) of Marietta, GA, Phillip (Anne Marie) of Canfield, Benedetto of Frankfort, KY, Ralph (Mary Jude) of Liberty and Johnny (Darla) of Liberty; daughters Mary (Jim) Simpson of Frankfort, KY, Cathy (Joe) Naples of Liberty, Christine (Patrick) Casseday of Chardon, OH, and Annie (Bill) Bako of Liberty; 14 grandchildren: Andrea (Jason), Phillip (Valerie), Chrissy; Phillip II, Danielle (Josh); Jimmy; Benedetto, Giovanni; Allison, Ralph III; Johnny II, Jimmy; Nicholas and Anthony; and three great-grandchildren Oliver, Audrey and Josh. He is survived by a sister Antoinette Hudson of Wichita, KS.
Other than his parents, Mr. Naples was preceded in death by his loving wife the former Catherine Shurack who passed away March 9, 2006; sisters Carmel (Timothy) Curtin, Magdalene (Edward) Acklin and Josephine (Frank) Forde; brothers John (Ida) Naples and Carmen (Patricia) Naples, sister-in-law Ann Shurack Vlaykovich (Peter) and brother-in-law James Hudson.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 pm at St. Columba Cathedral on Friday, February 26, and from 9 – 9:45 am on Saturday, prior to the Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by the Very Rev. Monsignor Peter Polando and the Very Rev. Monsignor Robert Siffrin on Saturday, February 27, at 10am, at St. Columba Cathedral. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that contributions be made to St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44503 or Ursuline High School, 750 Wick Ave., Youngstown, Ohio, 44505.
The family wishes to thank MVI Hospice Care for all of their compassion and support of care.
Send thoughts and condolences to the family at www.mccauleyfuneral.com
Arrangements by the McCauley Funeral Home serving the valley for over 114 years.

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