Oresto “Ralph” Vena, passed away Sunday at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford after a lengthy illness, the husband of Mary C. (Monaco) he was eighty-eight years old.
Born in Boston he was the son of the late Amelia and Ernest Vena. He was raised in Boston, and lived in Medford for over fifty-four years. Ralph worked for many years for Swift Meat Company before he went to work for the Post Office where he retired in 1981.
A US Army Veteran of World War II, Ralph was the receipient of the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for his service in the Ryakus, Southern Philippines and Eastern Mandates. He was a life member of the Somerville D.A.V. Post.
Surviving in addition to his wife Mary of fifty-four years are many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by three brothers, Luigi, Angelo and John Vena, three sisters, Yolanda Mastrangelo, Gloria Fratalia and Margaret Nevin.
His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St. Medford, on Thursday, March 13, at 10 a.m. Followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Jospeh Church 118 High St. Medford at 11. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Visiting Hours at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 thru 8.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy be sent in Ralph´s memory to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans 15 Court St. Boston, MA 02115