He was born on Aug. 17, 1920, in Amorosi, Italy, son of the late Antonio and Filomena (Ferrucci) Izzo. He moved from Italy with his parents at the age of 18 months, and has been an Iron Mountain resident since. He attended school in Iron Mountain, graduating from Iron Mountain High School in 1938.

He went to work at the Ford Plant sewing World War II plane seats until he was drafted into the United States Army serving with the 29th Infantry Division in Germany. Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Ralph moved home. He married June Gayan on July 19, 1941, and they have spent 74 wonderful years together.

Ralph worked his entire life for the family business, Tony Izzo & Sons, eventually becoming the owner and operator of the business.

He was a faithful member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church serving as Eucharistic minister and as a choir member, the Piasano Club, Rotary Club, St. Vincent de Paul, and the American Legion. He also served as president for the U.P. Piasano Club and the U.P. St. Vincent de Paul. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Master, which was formed in 1972, on the board for the Dickinson Area Bocce Association, and voted Citizen of the Year in 1970.

In 1940, he pitched for Liberty Loan, pitching the first perfect game in Iron Mountain Softball History. In 1951 he and his teammates won the U.P. Class A Softball Championship.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, June Izzo of Iron Mountain; his sons, Anthony (Susy) Izzo of Spread Eagle, Wis. and Michael (Jeanne) Izzo of Iron Mountain; a daughter, Katherine (Gary) Maynard of Gladstone; four grandchildren, Marcus (Marit) Izzo, Teddy Izzo, Stacie (Todd) Maynard -Poquette, and Travis (Nicole) Maynard; four great-grandchildren, Ellen Madison Izzo, Monica June Izzo, Cable Patrick Poquette, and Gavin Poquette; and a brother, Carl (Dorothy) Izzo of Appleton, Wis.

He was preceded in death by a son, Patrick Izzo; a daughter, Mary Rose Izzo; a sister, Rose Brisson; and brothers, Andri and Carmen Izzo.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain.

The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Fr. Janusz Romanek will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Ralph Izzo online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson- Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.