Visitation for the family and friends of Ralph Cotugno, Jr., 85, will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 10:45 a.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. The Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Palatine.
Ralph was born on October 16, 1937, to the late Ralph Cotugno, Sr. and Concetta (Connie) Cotugno. Ralph was the oldest son and is survived by his five siblings, Maryann, Joan, Jim, Fran, and Bill. They grew up in the Chicago area where he made many lifelong friends. He passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023, in Tucson, Arizona.
Ralph proudly served in the Army from 1962 to 1964 and remained active in the Army Reserve until 1968. In 1968, he married Joanne, and they settled in Algonquin where they raised their family in the house with the big C on the garage. For the last 18 years he lived in Tucson, enjoying the sun, the mountains, and cheering on his grandchildren from the bleachers.
Ralph always enjoyed sports – watching, playing, and coaching in the AAYO. Later in life, he became an avid coin collector. He had a “gift” with numbers and a little bit of luck on his side too. He left this life with a winning ticket.
Ralph is survived by his former wife, Joanne (nee Hallock) and their children, Carrie (Scott) Radomsky, Craig (Lisa) Cotugno, and Carla (Dave) Otto, and by his grandchildren, Ellie, Logan, Lainie, Nolan, Courtney, Corrie, Marcus, and Jackson. He is also survived by his siblings and many nieces and nephews who have fond memories of him.
In lieu of flowers, planting Trees in Memory through the Arbor Day Foundation or donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association are appreciated.
To the Cotugno family, extended family and close friends. Nancy and I submit our condolences. As long time friends, Ralph was more than a friend. I didn’t know him from childhood days, but later met him through other friends and my cousin Kenny. I believe we were in are late teens and or early twenty’s. At this time we were having family picnics once a year and maybe some parties. So with this, I will always be thinking of Ralph and remembering what we did in our early and later years.
Love to the Family
Nick and Nancy Calabrese
Condolences and prayers for the Cotugno family. Although it has been many years, I most fondly remember Mr. and Mrs. Cotugno and Craig, Carrie, and Carla from growing up in Algonquin. Great people!