Ralph Perroncello, 87, a highly decorated veteran of WWII, and a retired Cohasset Firefighter passed peacefully August 1, 2012. Ralph courageously fought a battle that many 87 year old "greatest generation" persons would have long given up on. Among his accomplishments were establishing the VFW Chapter in Cohasset and supporting the town's seniors by his continuous election until last year to the Housing Authority.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maria, his three children, Peter Perroncello and his wife Catherine Perroncello of Pembroke, Elena Dear and her husband Gary Dear of Chelmsford, and Dona Pihl and her husband Walter Pihl of Cohasset.  He is also survived by his five grandchildren; Christina Dear, Jennifer Dear, Gregory Dear, Katie Perroncello, and Lisa Kamens. Also survived by the newest love of his life, his great grand daughter Madison Grant. He is also survived by his older brother Joseph Perroncello of Cohasset and other loving family members.

Unless you were part of his extended family, few will know what trials and tribulations the past year brought Ralph. True grit usually exemplifies a western hero. He rarely complained, until the last few weeks when he himself had come to acknowledge he could only endure so much.
Ralph is also part of the true endangered species remaining in Cohasset - a native born son who went off to war to serve his nation, then returned to serve his community.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012 at 9:30 am in St. Anthony Church, Cohasset. Visiting hours Friday Aug. 3 from 4-8 pm in McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer St. (across from St. Anthony Church), Cohasset. Ralph will be laid to rest in Woodside Cemetery, Cohasset with military honors. . In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory may be made to the VFW Post, PO BOX 437, Cohasset, MA. 02025 for a scholarship to be created in his name.

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