Ralph J. Viola, Jr., 93, of East Hartford, a devoted husband for 66 years to Margaret “Peg” (Shea) Viola, peacefully entered into eternal life at his home on Friday, July 26, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Born on October 17, 1930, in Hartford, Ralph was the son of the late Ralph J. and Rose (Palazzi) Viola, Sr. He lived on Deepwood Drive in East Hartford for 63 years before relocating to South Windsor three years ago. A devout Catholic and man of faith, Ralph was a former communicant of St. Christopher Church, East Hartford. Ralph graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1949 and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Connecticut.

A proud U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, Ralph dedicated 30 years to teaching and coaching at Hartford Public High School where he served as the Head Physical Education Teacher and Pool Director. He coached swimming, baseball, and football, and was instrumental in making swimming a mandatory part of the curriculum.

In 1963, he was a founding member of the Glenbrooke Swim & Tennis Club off Oak Street in East Hartford, and was a prominent high school swimming and diving official with the Connecticut Swimming Officials Association. His passion for teaching children how to swim was well-known, and he established and coached the girls’ swim team at East Catholic High School in 1976.

In addition to his educational and coaching career, Ralph served as the Pool Director at The Hartford Golf Club and Avon Country Club during the summer months. Ralph and Peg, both graduates of Hartford Public High School’s Class of 1949, remained active in their Class Reunion Committee for 70 years.

Ralph was honored as a member of the inaugural HPHS Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements as both a student athlete and coach. He was also a longtime member of Manchester Country Club, where he enjoyed golf with the Senior Golf group.

In addition to his beloved wife, Peg, Ralph is survived by his three daughters: Rosemary Viola Rainville of Manchester, Kathleen Viola of Delray Beach, FL, and Claire Viola Egan and her husband Jay of Norwalk. He also leaves eight cherished grandchildren: Christina Jones and her fiancé Bobby McDonnell, Catherine Jones, Colin Jones, Cara Egan and her fiancé Colin Freer, Jenna Egan, Meghan Egan, Lily Rainville and her husband Brian, and Theodore “Teddy” Rainville. Ralph is also survived by his sister, Ann Marie Viola; sister-in-law, Kathleen Hurley; and many nieces, nephews, former students, and friends.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Philomena Martino and Cynthia Rose Gramegna, and his sister-in-law, Sheila Hanley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Section P, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. The family requests that attendees go directly to the church on Thursday morning.

Ralph’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation. Checks should be made out to “Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation” and mailed to Sarah Caro, Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, 100 Westport Avenue,Norwalk, CT 06851.

For online expressions of sympathy and electronic donations, please visit www.desopoeh.com