Remembering the Life of Ralph Chuey

Topics:  Ralph Chuey

Congressman Tim Ryan
Congressional Record: 115th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
25 September 2017

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of 
Ralph B. Chuey who passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 
St. Elizabeth Health Center, in Boardman, Ohio, surrounded by his 
loving family.
  Ralph was born May 29, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio to Andrew and Mary 
(Bunofsky) Chuey. He graduated from Struthers High School in 1948, and 
was promptly drafted into the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his 
country in the Panama Canal zone during the Korean conflict. Shortly 
thereafter, he began a 40-plus-year career driving a local delivery 
truck for Wonder Bread and Hostess Cake.
  Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him knew that Ralph was a 
go-getter. Once at a party, he stole his buddy's good-looking date, Miss Colette Martin. 
They were wed on Oct. 7, 1967. Their beautiful life together brought 
them two daughters who were the lights of his life. He worked 
tirelessly to provide for them and set an amazing example of hard work 
and dedication.
  Ralph formerly served as a zoning inspector for the city of Girard. 
He was a true patriot who belonged to both the American Legion and the 
V.F.W., as well as having served as a Democratic precinct committeeman. 
He was politically active and was involved in many local campaigns 
throughout the years.
  In his spare time, Ralph enjoyed gardening, collecting antiques, 
complaining, Youngstown State University football, anything related to 
Cleveland sports, cheering for whatever team his son-in-law, Pat was 
currently coaching, and watching John Wayne movies with a fresh box of 
cheese crackers and a cold beer. He was a true Civil War buff and spent 
his most enjoyable hours dressing in costume and teaching others about 
the Civil War, particularly Ulysses S. Grant. He especially enjoyed 
taking part in the school tours at the Girard Historical Society 
Barnhisel House Museum, where he also played an instrumental role in 
the museum's restoration.
  Those who will carry on his legacy include his loving wife of almost 
50 years; his daughter, Erin (Pat) Meyer of Huntington Beach, Calif., 
and his daughter, Shawna Chuey and Quentin Miles of Washington, DC; 
three grandchildren, Chris, Emma, and Sophia; his brother, Tom (Pat) 
Chuey of Poland, and many nieces and nephews.
  The family would especially like to thank Dan Hromyak and Leslie 
``Dani'' Diana for their support and devotion to their Uncle Ralph. 
Ralph will be laid to rest at Girard City Cemetery, with military 
honors. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.