In Memoriam: Ralph Ostraco December 27, 1932 - January 28, 2012

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  In memoriam to our friend and a friend of Jesus: Ralph Ostraco   

 Reprise from October 2010

     A Journey of Faith with Ralph Ostraco

                                                      by Beth Acanfora       

    “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.”- Colossians 3:12

                                                                                          Each month, as I interview the folks at Christ Church, I find it more and more fascinating to learn about their lives; where they have been and what experiences have shaped them.  What was the catalyst that brought them to Christ and how have they lived out that call on their lives?  In Ralph’s case, the attributes of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience are ever present and they have helped him to produce much fruit for the kingdom.  As he cares for others and works quietly around the church he proclaims the love of Christ and his smile and “hello” warm our hearts every Sunday as he takes his place among us.

         Ralph Ostraco  was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on December 27, 1932 into a large, extended Italian family.  There were always aunts and uncles and grandparents around and Ralph was the second born in a family of four children.  Ralph loved playing “Johnny on the Pony” with his friends and “Streetball.”  Ralph’s childhood was cut short, however when his father died.  At eight years of age he went to school only 4 hours per day and then he went out to work to help his family.  Ralph loved his job at the “Johnny Blade Pet Shop.”  He said, “There were all different animals in the pet shop.  They had everything from horses to snakes, and it was huge!”  Of course, Ralph loved caring for the pigeons and it is a love that has been with him all his life. He says of the pigeons, “They don’t ask for anything- just food and water.  I love them so much!”  One time Ralph recalls he sold 100 of his own pigeons and 63 came back to him!  I’m sure it was because they loved him too!  Ralph also recalls the use of pigeons in the war to send messages.  He said, “They would attach tubes to their legs or on their backs with important messages inside.”

         At the age of 19, Ralph enlisted in the Marine Corps and was a machine gunner in the Korean War with the regular ground troops.  For 14 months he fought in battles that raged on and on.    Ralph received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle which you will see him wear from time to time.  It was awarded to him in a parade after his discharge from the hospital where he was treated for a concussion suffered after a bomb exploded near him.  I have enclosed a letter of appreciation that Ralph received in the year 2000 on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.  I found it to be an amazing document and one that Ralph and I wanted to share with you.  It really does reinforce the ideals of democracy and freedom around the world as being worth fighting for. 

            When Ralph came home, he married his first wife and they had 4 beautiful children.  Although Ralph had grown up in the Catholic Church, they began to go to the Episcopal Church because it was closer.  He worked at the Idlewild Airport, later to be called the John F. Kennedy International Airport for 34 years and held down a second job at a gas station for many of those years as well.  When his marriage broke up after 11 years, Ralph said the church really helped him.  He said, “I gave my wife the big house and the Cadillac and I moved.  It took me a long time to forgive, but now I don’t hold any malice against anyone.  That’s really important- the most important thing.”

           Ralph’s friendship with Sue and Dick Potter, who were former parishioners at Christ Church helped to sustain him.  He said, “I was living in South Ozone Park and Sue and Dick lived next door.  I met my second wife Gwen when I was 48 .  She also lived next door and one day I dug her out of a snowbank.  She invited me in for tea and I never really left after that.”  The couple married and moved to Florida for 6 years.  In 1992 they moved  to their lovely home outside of Rockdale, where Ralph has plenty of room for his pigeons.  Sue and Dick moved to Mt. Upton and their friendship flourished.  Since Dick and Gwen have both passed away, he remains close friends with Sue.

        Another important friendship came when Ralph picked up Dave Webb on the side of the road after his car broke down on a cold winter Sunday.  Ralph drove Dave to Christ Church and the two have been ‘Best Buds’ ever since this chance meeting many years ago.  Ralph laughs as he says, “Dave always tells me he was the best thing I ever had in my car.  He calls me his Earth Angel.”  Ralph recalls, “Yeah I was a little scared because Dave is bigger than me, but I couldn’t leave him on the side of the road like that!”  

          Ralph is very proud of his children and three grandchildren.  He absolutely beams when he talks about them and he loves to have them visit.  He is also passionate about the people of Christ Church.  He says, “I absolutely love all the people at Christ Church.  I enjoy helping to take care of them.  I have asked Jesus what he wants me to do and he wants me to help people in any way I can.  I work in the healing ministry and it makes me so happy when someone is feeling better.  It makes me want to jump right straight up in the air!  I like to help drive people to the hospital and to see the doctor.  I enjoy my work as an alter boy when Father Joe needs me.  Whatever I can do I will do.”  Ralph also assists in taking care of two of his neighbors who are quite disabled.  He says, We take care of each other.”

        Ralph ended our interview by saying, “I’m ready whenever the Lord wants to come and take me.  I’m 78 and I’ve lived a good life.  The world isn’t such a good place anymore.”  I guess in many ways I have to agree with Ralph on that, but I also think that Jesus is revealing himself more and more around us.  And I see it mostly in people like Ralph, who have given of themselves sacrificially all of their lives to benefit others.  His small, selfless acts of faith add up to a lifetime of building the kingdom for Christ.  Thank you, Ralph for all the sacrifices you have made for our country, our church and our community.  You and your beloved pigeons are very much alike- both messengers used by God to bring peace into a fallen world.