Ralph J. "Alfie" DeFelice, 97, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away on June 26, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Ralph was born in Erie, PA on May 21, 1926, son of the late Nicola and Teresa (Caruso) DeFelice. Ralph lived most of his life in Erie, with brief stints in North Carolina and Massachusetts. Ralph served in the United States Army where he was stationed in California during WWII. After his discharge from the Army, Ralph worked in several shops, including Marx Toys. His greatest passion was for the restaurant business. He worked for Barbato's for a number of years and owned his own restaurant in Edinboro, PA. He also owned and operated Julio's Pizza on Parade Street in Erie for over thirty years, which was one of the first pizzerias in the Erie area. Ralph sold the business and retired in 1994. He was still remembered as "Julio the pizza guy."

Ralph was a hard worker and full of energy. He enjoyed working with his hands and watching old movies (especially Westerns). Ralph particularly enjoyed the horse races. He met his current wife, Linda, at the old Commodore Downs. Ralph and Linda married on May 5, 1989. Ralph was an exceptional husband and father and will truly be missed. Ralph battled Alzheimer's disease for several years and was cared for by his wife Linda until the end; despite his illness, Ralph never lost his sense of humor and joy for life. In August of 2022, Ralph and Linda fulfilled a lifelong dream of retiring to Florida where they could escape the snow and enjoy the sunshine and pool year-round.

Besides his parents, Ralph is preceded in death by his first wife, Celia (Maas) DeFelice, his sons Nicholas and Ralph DeFelice, brother Alfred DeFelice, sisters Anna O'Toole and Antoinette Chessario, and sons-in-law William Marucci and Arthur Mantz. Ralph is survived by his wife of 34 years, Linda (Crishock) DeFelice and their two sons, Daniel of Pittsburgh, PA and David of Philadelphia, PA. He is further survived by his daughters, Carol Ann Marucci of Spartansburg, PA, Sandra Ann Mantz of Riverview, FL, and Deborah Ann (Ken) Valerio of Erie, PA. Ralph
also leaves behind ten grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and one great-great- grandchild, as well as his daughter-in-law, Betty DeFelice of McKean, PA, and brother-in-law whom he had a special relationship with, John Crishock of Ypsilanti, MI.

Friends may call at the Serenity Meadows Memorial Park Funeral Home in Riverview, FL, on Saturday, July 1, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a service. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the family.