Ralph C. Carnevale
Oldest Retired Lowell Fire Fighter
LOWELL Ralph C. Carnevale, 95, of Lowell, died Friday, July 3, 2009, at Genesis Westford House. He was the widower of the late Grace (Mullen) Carnevale, who died Oct. 9, 2007.
Born July 9, 1913, in Lowell, he was a son of the late Angelo and the late Grace (Rapone) Carnevale, and was educated in the local schools.
At the age of thirty, on September 26, 1943, Mr. Carnevale joined the Lowell Fire Department as a Rerserve Fire Fighter and served in that capacity until June 1, 1947, when he became a permanent fire fighter for the City. He was promoted to Lieutenant on October 1, 1952, and served his lifelong career with Engine 9, Shedd Park, until his retirement January 21, 1977. With a smile, he would tell people he was the oldest living retired fire fighter for the City.
He was a member of the Lowell Retired Firefighters Association as well as the Retired State, County, and Municipal Employees Association. He was active in the Community through the Italian Club and the Lowell Lodge of Elks, BPOE #87. With his wife of sixty nine years, he enjoyed spending winters in Florida, and also enjoyed playing cards and playing cribbage. With his death, the Red Sox have lost one of their most enthusiastic fans.
He is survived by four children, Ralph F. Carnevale and his wife, Elaine, of Chelmsford, Robert J. Carnevale and his wife, Cheryl, of Westford, Carolyn Palmer and her husband, Thomas, of Westford, and James T. Carnevale and his wife, Mary, of Lowell; nine grandchildren, Angela and Paul Gagne of Westford, Karen Carnevale of Dunstable, Linda and Donald Williams of Hudson, NH, Pam Comer of Hudson, NH, Kathy Money of Hudson, NH, Nicole Carnivale and her husband Peter of Westford, Kendra Carnevale-Nixon and her husband Michael Nixon of Waltham, Katie and Jessica Palmer of Westford, and Alexander, Michael, and Evan Carnevale all of Lowell; ten great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also the father of the late Suzanne Carnevale.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS VISITATION 7:30 UNTIL 8:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 9 AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH AT 9:30 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, 30 SPEEN STREET, FRAMINGHAM, MA 01701. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
