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Obituary for Joao 'John' Ramalho
Joao ‘John’ Ramalho, age 78, of Lake Wales, Florida and previously of Stratford, passed away peacefully surrounded by family members on Saturday, January 14, 2023, in the West Haven Veterans Hospital. Mr. Ramalho was born January 15, 1945, in Stratford, son of the late Francisco and Ignacia (Soares) Ramalho.
He was a retired Career Air Force Veteran who served 20 years active duty, plus 20 additional years working for the Air Force in a civilian capacity. As a Sergeant, John had the responsibility of managing all aspects of the Air Force base’s recreational program. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his military achievements; more recently he was an honoree on the 2021 all-expense paid Flight to Honor from Florida to Washington, D.C.
Mr. Ramalho served two terms in Vietnam, as well as serving in London, Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii, Virginia, New Mexico, and Sacramento, California. After his retirement in 2005, Joao drove across the U.S. to Stratford, stopping to visit friends along the way. He then relocated to Florida, purchased a home on a golf course, where he met many wonderful new friends. In July of 2022, he was featured in the “Florida Golf Central” magazine as “Bachelor of the Month” which he was very proud of.
John was a 1963 graduate of Stratford High School and was co-captain of the SHS Varsity Basketball team. His teammates included Tom Penders, Terry Miller, Bill Sumner, and Jim Ring. This information was featured in the 2005 “Connecticut Post” “40 Years Ago Today” column. He also studied at Maryland Terrapins.
John enjoyed golfing daily, traveling to the North Sea Jazz Festival, singing Karaoke, listening to Jazz music, and his annual July visits to see extended family in CT.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Brothers: Nicholas Ramalho, Joseph Ramalho, Francisco Ramalho, Antonio Ramalho; Sisters: Irene Ramalho-Gonsalves, Antonia Ramalho Sequeira, Lucy Ramalho-Lopes, Rose Ramalho-Canute, Mary Ramalho-Galvin and Barbara Ramalho-Rosario, and is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may visit with his family on Thursday, January 26, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main Street, Stratford.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 12:00 P.M. in Saint James Church, 2110 Main St., Stratford.
Interment in the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
For additional information or to leave a condolence message, visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Joao 'John' Ramalho, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
26
Jan
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
William R. McDonald Funeral Home
2591 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial
Friday
27
Jan
12:00 PM
Saint James Church
2070 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Interment in the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT will be private.
Memorial Contribution
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