Ralph Schinella

Ralph Schinella, age 90, of Iron River, MI passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, MI. He was born on February 12, 1928 in Gaastra, MI; the son of the late Frank and Mary (Trapasso) Schinella. Ralph attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating from Stambaugh High School with the Class of 1947. He then attended the Chicago Technical College, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in construction engineering. Ralph served his country in the United States Army. Ralph married Betty E. Peterson on February 2, 1951 in Chicago, IL. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001 at the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club in Punta Gorda, FL. Betty preceded him in death on June 1, 2007.  He was employed for 25 years in marine construction for Great Lakes International. He concluded his career with Great Lakes International as a head of Caribbean Operations based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ralph was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club and the Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda, FL, and a former member of St. Mary’s Church in Gaastra, MI. He was an avid sailor and was a captain of a sail boat race team.  Ralph is survived by his sons, Michael (Denise) Schinella of Oakland, MI, Gregg Schinella of South Pasadena, FL, and Pat (Tracy) Schinella of Portage, IN; 10 grandchildren, Jillian, Mandy, Jake, Jeff, Jorie, Justin, Jarrod, Eric, Emily and Patrick; 10 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Madison, Gracie, Isaac, Miles, Elliot, Joy, Simon, Sophia, Katie; 1 great-great-grandchild, Brantley. He is also survived by his special friend, Catherine Eskildsen.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marian Schinella; brothers, Pat and Victor; sisters Caroline Kadluboski and Violet Marcantonio; daughter-in-law, Jo Anne Schinella. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2018.  The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the gravesite.  Donations in his honor may be made to the American Cancer Society.  To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Schinella, please visit our flower store.