RALPH DE FUSCO

Ralph DeFusco, 82, passed away on Saturday August 30, 2008 at Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence. Born in Providence August 19, 1926 a son of the late Raffaele and Filomena (Malgieri) DeFusco he grew up in Norwood. He attended Aldrich High School; he left in the 10th grade to go to work to help the family during the depression as a chromium platter. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and volunteered to serve in the armed guard, which at the time was considered one of the most dangerous units, serving on merchant ships as a gunner. His duties included the European Theater, first on Liberty Ships and then tankers. When the war ended in Europe, he was assigned to the Pacific, serving the 3rd and 7th fleet and was involved in the Battle of Cubic Bay. After the war, he returned to high school, graduated and attended Bryant College, where he earned his BS in accounting, continuing his education at URI, earning his MBA. He was employed at Uniroyal (United States Rubber Co.), was a member of its executive staff, serving as materials manager and also doubled as product manager for the golf division. After 26 years of service, he retired in 1975 and went into business for himself. He was a pioneer in the golf industry, manufacturing golf gloves in Korea and eventually introduced the " Sta Soft" golf glove to Foot Joy and performed as their agent from 1977 to 1990. Through his efforts, that golf glove became the #1 selling glove in golf in 1980 and still is today. He also represented many other golf companies for various other golf products. Ralph was involved in many " Firsts" in the golf industry, contributing to the random configuration golf ball, investment of cast molds for golf clubs and was creator of the ladies model line of " Daisy" golf equipment which carried a daisy logo on all its products. As a young man his sport of choice was baseball and had an opportunity to go to the minors but opted for college. He also enjoyed fast pitch soft ball which he played for many years with local clubs and was an avid golfer and a member of Quidnessett Country Club for 40 years. He also enjoyed other hobbies; sketching, painting water color, model airplanes that were capable of flying, bird watching and his beloved classical music. Ralph was well known by his many friends to be most honorable and ethical, most notably in business and the game of golf. If you played with Ralph, you played by the rules. He never passed up a game of Gin with his buddies. An avid reader, he especially loved History, both American and World History, Politics and his country. He loved his garden and took both pleasure and pride in his tomatoes. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Judith ( Ball ) O'Brien-DeFusco, his sons, Ralph and wife Ellen, Robert and wife Nadine, Edward and wife Laura, daughter Judy ( DeFusco ) and husband Brian Ray. Father of the late Evelyn Gardner and David DeFusco. Father in law of Thomas Gardner. Brother of Alvin and wife Lillian and the late Phyllis Brill. He was the husband of the late Helen ( Pothier ) DeFusco. Step-father of Michael O'Brien, Michele ( O'Brien ) Ahlborg and Shannon ( O'Brien " ) Richardson. He is also survived by 18 wonderful grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Ralph's family will be receiving friends on Friday at 10:am at the Peacedale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St., Peacedale followed by a service at 11:am. Entombment with military honors will take place in the R.I. Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Andrew Hoban Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 84, East Greenwich, RI 02818.

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