No.Reading- Ralph P. Costanza, 90, a WWII Veteran, died peacefully, surrounded by his family at the Lahey Hospital in Burlington, MA on August 22. Ralph was born in East Boston, MA on May 6, 1925, to Joseph and Mary (Sansone) Costanza. He enlisted in the U.S Army at 17 and was subsequently shipped overseas. He landed on the beach at Normandy in 1944 in the sixth wave of D-Day. Ralph received a Purple Heart from wounds sustained in the final days of the Battle of the Bulge (Jan. 1945). Recently Ralph was the Grand Marshall for North Reading’s Memorial Day celebration, donning his full uniform and Purple Heart medal. Ralph and his wife, Marcia, moved to the small town of North Reading in the early 1950's. As a co-owner of Costanza and Bertolino Inc., a real estate company, Ralph developed the concept of a professional building in the center of town and brought in the town’s first doctor. He also brought the Atlantic Food Market, North Reading’s first large grocery store (currently Stop and Shop). As the first chairman of the town’s Industrial Development Committee, Ralph worked to establish a section of the town for industrial development, bringing additional real estate taxes to the town. He was also instrumental in bringing the Thompson Country Club to North Reading. Ralph served on many town committees including school building and zoning boards, and he took part in the planning and development of Route 28 for commercial and industrial use. Along with his business partner, Joseph Bertolino, Sr., they built over 300 homes in North Reading and sold real estate for many, many years. Ralph helped design and construct the Holiday Extended Care Facility on North St. (currently the Sunbridge Nursing Home) and was its administrator for 10 years in the 1960's. Ralph was also a member of the WW II vets, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Lion’s Club and a member of St. Theresa’s Church. Ralph loved family, fishing, golf, dancing, cooking and music. Politics were also a big part of Ralph’s life. In his later years he became a Democrat so he could fight for all minorities, veterans and the poor. Ralph will most be remembered for his charming personality and quick wit. There was not a person or room full of people that he couldn't entertain with magic, jokes or a story! His smile and laughter were contagious. Each grandchild would be greeted by Grandpa’s question "So tell me what is new, different and interesting in your life?" He would then listen to and discuss their answers. He gave magic shows at Children’s Hospital, and supported the Home for Little Wanderers. His 90th birthday celebration took place in May. Ralph and Marcia recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in June. The couple have been in their family home, loving and caring for each other, for 56 years. Ralph is survived by three children: Ralph P. Costanza, Jr., and his wife, Susan, and their three sons, William, Matthew and Christopher of Norfolk, MA .; Karen (Costanza) O'Leary and her husband, Daniel, of Ipswich,MA and their two sons, Mark O'Leary and his wife, Megan ,and their daughter, Mary Grace O'Leary of Hoboken,NJ.; David O'Leary and his wife, Valerie Hinojosa, of Washington.D.C.; Regina “Gina” (Costanza) Sanfilippo and her husband, Salvatore “Sal” and their children, Michael and Leah Sanfilippo, of Irvine,CA, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ralph is pre-deceased by his sister, Probie Colanino. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in Ralph’s name.

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