Obituaries

GREEN BAY-RHINELANDER-MADISON - Ralph J. DiSalvo, age 98, passed away on October 6th, 2023 in his home. Ralph was born in Madison, WI on January 11, 1925, to Benedetto and Francesca (Carala) DiSalvo. He grew up at 802 Regent St. in the 2nd floor apartment above "Ben DiSalvo and Sons Grocery" which his parents built in 1923.

Ralph graduated from Madison Central High in June of 1941. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy during WW ll in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Hancock CVA-19 & USS Cheleb AK-138 and was honorably discharged in 1946. In August of 1955 Ralph started working for the State of Wisconsin Department of Taxation as a Beverage & Cigarette Tax Agent. He thoroughly enjoyed matching wits with bootleggers in rural Wisconsin. In February of 1958 he transferred to State Jail Inspector and retired in June of 1987. Shortly after retirement Ralph split time wintering between Alabama and Florida where much time was spent chasing golf balls and sampling food at the many restaurants along the Gulf Coast.

In the mid-80s the annual trips to Sunset Country (located in the NW section of Ontario, Canada) commenced. He enjoyed fishing many of those years with his friend Don Clark, and later with his sons, which were times he cherished. The menu was planned by Ralph… long on red meat…short on fish. Ralph caught his last walleye in June of 2019 at the age of 94.

Survivors include sons, Michael, Mark (Kathy), and Steven (Debbie); granddaughter Diane (Nick) Newlin and great granddaughter Bailey; grandson Anthony DiSalvo (Stephanie Seiler); grandson Taylor Naslund (Ali Klunick) and granddaughter Maija DiSalvo (Jake Bouchelle); stepdaughter, Cathy (Carl) Wagner and their children Ryan (Katie) Wagner, Russel Wagner and Crystal Wagner; and stepson, David (Katie) Snyder. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held with full military honors and interment at Highland Memory Gardens in Madison, WI.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue

608-249-8257