Ralph L. Sarno

Ralph Sarno, of North Reading, passed away Thursday evening April 28, 2022 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after complications from Mantle Cell Lymphoma at the age of 65.

 Born on September 23, 1956 in Stoneham; Ralph was the son of the late Anthony L. and Catherine E. Sarno. Raised in North Reading, he was a graduate of North Reading High School.

 Ralph worked for Raytheon for many years, however, his love of the outdoors, lead him to work in the landscaping and lawn care business. He worked at Meadowbrook Golf Club in Reading for a few years then on to Hillview Golf Course in North Reading. Due to declining health he had to limit the hours he spent working which was heartbreaking for Ralph as he had developed great friendships with the guys at the course. He would often stop in for visits.  

 Around Thanksgiving time, you could find Ralph working along his longtime friends Paul & Sue, owners of Seven Acres Farm preparing Thanksgiving turkeys for the public, a tradition for which his youngest Son Matt also participated from a very young age.

 Ralph was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for nature. He had a keen knowledge of wildlife species. Could spot a hawk or eagle from a mile out. He also had a love of animals, making it a habit of driving through Harold Parker State Park, finding/reporting abandoned pets, bring home kittens, and a bunny for our boys to raise. He also brought home a dozen or so laying chickens keeping us well stocked in eggs for which he also shared with our neighbors. Live turkeys were also raised for thanksgiving none of which ever made it to the dinner table because HE got too attached. Ralph especially enjoyed fishing off Plum Island and had formed a kinship with the owner of the nearby bait shop, who would leave bait outside the shop for Ralph’s night fishing adventures. Ralph had many friends here in North Reading whom he had either grown up with or had met along the way. He loved each and every one of you!

 Ralph is survived by his wife of 25 years Wendy (Lavoie) Sarno. His children, Daughter Kerri Sarno-Pratt and her husband Travis of Townsend MA, Daughter Kristen Thibodeau of Waltham, Son’s Anthony and Matthew Sarno of North Reading, and five grandchildren, Kailee, Anthony, Jason, David, and Travis.

 He is also survived by his siblings, Anthony Sarno and wife Nancy of Bridgewater MA, Robert Stracuzzi and his wife Carol of Huntingdon TN, Henrietta Perrault and her husband Gene of North Reading MA, and the late Joseph Sarno and his wife Beth of Carver MA, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

 Scattering of Ralph’s ashes will be off the coast of his beloved Plum Island. To respect Ralph’s wishes, services will be held privately.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ralph’s memory to:

MGH Cancer Center https://giving.massgeneral.org

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