Ralph Victor DellaCrosse, 76, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 9, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born on January 23, 1942 in Port Chester, New York to parents Anthony Michael DellaCrosse and Gloria Louise Aversano.  He was the oldest of three boys and attended Harrison High School, where he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball.  Ralph won a basketball scholarship and played four years at Mississippi State University, where he also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education.

He worked most of his career in Jacksonville, Florida as a high school teacher and basketball coach, where he mentored hundreds of young men throughout the years and helped develop the basketball program at Forrest High School.  Ralph married Shelley DellaCrosse and raised 3 sons in Jacksonville and had recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Ralph was an avid sports fan and golfer, and a very active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, volunteering in several ministries but most notably committing countless hours of his time to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a ministry dedicated to serving the poor in our community.

Ralph is survived by his wife Shelley Townsend DellaCrosse, his brother Anthony DellaCrosse, his three sons Dane Leonard DellaCrosse (wife, Gloriela Tejeira DellaCrosse), Ryan Anthony DellaCrosse (wife, Jennifer Danner DellaCrosse), and Casey Ralph DellaCrosse (wife, Marlene Benavides DellaCrosse), and his twelve grandchildren Anthony DellaCrosse, Amy DellaCrosse, Sofia Aguirre, Joseph DellaCrosse, Ethan DellaCrosse, Benjamin DellaCrosse, Ava DellaCrosse, Vincent DellaCrosse, Leo DellaCrosse, Max DellaCrosse, Maria DellaCrosse, and Dominic DellaCrosse. Ralph also had 11 nieces and nephews

A mass will be held at 11AM, Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11665 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 with Father Amar Nagothu officiating.  There will be a reception in the Life Center following the mass. A private family inurnment will follow after the reception at the Arlington Park Cemetery.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul send a donation care of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where the money can be used to continue serving the less fortunate of the community

Cremation arrangements are under the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384 .

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