Ralph F. DeFuria, of Stoneham, formerly of Somerville, died Wednesday at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 75.
Born and raised in Somerville, he was the son of the late Gaetano and the late Concordia (LaPorta) DeFuria. After high school Ralph served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon return to civilian life he served as a somerville police officer for 17 years. He then joined the Mass. State Police, serving 20 years, and achieved the rank of Detective Lieutenant, working with CPAC. During his retirement he lived in Leesburg, Florida.
He was the beloved husband of Cecelia A. (Ledtje) and the late Dorothy (Dillon). He was a devoted father to Stephen DeFuria and his fiance Stacey Kerek of Holbrook, Kevin DeFuria of Cambridge, Susan LaGambina and her husband Sebastian of Wakefield, Jane Germano and her husband Michael of Stoneham, Lisa Halloran and her husband Edward of Melrose, Laurie Krafsig and her husband Bernard of SC, Gina Hughes and her fiance John Preston of Medford.
He was a loving grandfather to Jason, Michael, Brianna, Christopher, Angela, Krystal, Ryan, Robert, Courtney, Tyler, Elizabeth, Meghan, Kasey and loving great-grandfather of Shawn. He was a dear brother of Anthony DeFuria, Helen Kramer and Carpi Giordano.
His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Saturday at 9:30 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham, at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.