Ralph Dominic Musco

Ralph Dominic Musco, 96 of Roanoke Rapids, NC and formerly of Schenectady, NY passed away peacefully Friday, February 17, 2023, in The Lodge at Rocky Mount, NC. Mr. Musco was born on September 15, 1926, in Schenectady, NY, the son of the late Mary Louise Sandike Musco and Raphael D. Musco.  He was preceded in death by his wife Esther Olivia Butler Musco, formerly of Roanoke Rapids.

Surviving include his two sons:  Frederick D. Musco (Mary Ann) of Southampton, NJ and Steven R. Musco of Northglenn, CO; his grandson Frederick D. Musco II and his granddaughter Olivia Ruth Musco both of Southhampton, NJ.

A US Navy veteran of World War II, Ralph met his beloved wife Olivia of 53 years while stationed at Norfolk, VA.  Ralph had a long career as an employee of General Electric and the Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna, NY as a Shop Superintendent.  Ralph was also a Life Member of the Stanford Heights Fire Department of Niskayuna and Colonie, NY as well as a former Chief and Commissioner.  He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church prior to his illness.

The family would like to thank Patrice, Keisha, and Jeanette of Lindacare, LLC, the staff of the Bayberry Retirement Inn, the staff of The Lodge and his many Church friends for their service and support over the years.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 900 Hamilton St, Roanoke Rapids, NC with Father Marlon Mendieta officiating.  Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery of Roanoke Rapids.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM and from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Services, 507 US-158, Roanoke Rapids.  Friends may sign the online register by visiting www.hockadayfs.com.

Donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in memory of Ralph and Olivia Musco.

Ralph, Olivia and the Hand of God

People struggle sometimes with their direction in life, but I want to paint you a story that will offer you hope. So wracked with Grief, I rise to tell you of my Father.  Like most Sons, I knew my Dad was special and Ralph Musco was no exception.  Of course, as most of you know, you can’t speak of my Dad without speaking of my Mom, Olivia Butler Musco.  In fact, if you spoke to Dad, you inevitably came to the subject of Mom.  So how does this lead into God’s plan for all of us...

Well, consider this... a poor boy grows up in a small Upstate NY city... grows to become a young man nearly finished with school... and the world descends into War.  Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, young man leaves school and travels to Albany to enlist and selects the Navy (it could have been any branch).  Navy sends young man to basic and on to be stationed in Norfolk (it could have been any number of bases, but the Lord picked Norfolk).   In a time when there was no route 95 or any of today's conveniences it took two days just to get to Norfolk... this is a big deal  So how many “coincidences” do we have so far?... I count eight BIG ones...

In Norfolk there are tens of thousands of sailors, but Dad wants to socialize and meet a nice young lady... so he takes out a map and searches high and low through dozens of nearby cities and towns... and what does he pick?  Roanoke Rapids (it could have been any town).  Another BIG “coincidence”... call it nine...

So, hitchhiking into town, Dad gets dropped off at this very corner... 9 ^th and Hamilton and sees another young man.  Dads asks, “what do you do here for fun on Saturday nights?”  Answer, “we have square dances here in the Armory.”... by my count we’re now at an even dozen...

As Dad tells it... he goes to the Armory dance... sees the most beautiful blond in the back bleachers and says... ”That’s the girl for me...”  so call it 15... any one minor change and there wouldn’t even be a courtship, a marriage, a family, or 53 years together.  So seriously, is there any statistical calculation for this being coincidence or must you accept the existence of God’s plan???  I know the answer for me is easy and I try to graciously accept God’s Blessing...

Now, with all this said, how do we end this Love Story... we look to those God chose to bring Ralph and Olivia into this world... with a family marker in Schenectady, NY that says “Together Forever” and a family marker in Roanoke Rapids with a picture of a couple merrily strolling Memory Lane... we celebrate their life together and their life everlasting...

TOGETHER FOREVER ON MEMORY LANE