Ralph William Marinello

Ralph William Marinello born November 26 1947 died January 25, 2026 at St Anns Hospital. He is proceeded in death by parents Ralph Marinello Sr and Barbara (Long) Marinello. He is survived by brothers Michael and Anthony, and sisters Vita and Jennifer. He is survived by Aunt, Mary Jane Marinello and uncle Chester Long, nieces and nephews Andrea, Adam, Amber, Matthew and Rafael and many cousins. He will be missed by his friend and caregiver Daphne Counts and her children who he dearly loved; Tiarra, Courtney, Sean, and Laura as well as countless friends and family members.

Ralph was a deeply curious person and a great student. Ralph was an Eagle Scout, he graduated Brookhaven High School where he was in the national honor society. He went on to study at The Ohio State University where he was earned a B.S. in 1969 and a masters in 1979. He excelled in collegiate sports. He was a track captain and Varsity letterman 1967-1969 and won Big Ten Championship awards twice in Long Jump, and once in the Triple jump in 1967. He was a talented photographer like his grandfather and uncles. He had a great love for the outdoors and was interested in genealogy. This interest led him to travel to the home towns of his grandparents in Italy, Gioia del Colle and Aquara, Italy. He developed great friendships in Aquara and and visited the village several times in the 1960s-1980s.

He taught physical Education in Newark, Ohio. He followed his father’s footsteps and worked at Krieger Ford for many years, as well as Graham Ford, Ricart, and several other dealerships.

A funeral mass will be held at St John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church 168 E Lincoln St, Columbus, OH 43215 February 14, 12:00PM-1:00PM with a reception to follow in Marapesse Hall 1:00PM-3:00PM.