Ralph Nicosia

Ralph Nicosia entered into God’s Kingdom on October 18, 2022. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Ralph was born to Anthony and Elvira Nicosia on December 25, 1941 in Somalia, North Africa. Shortly after he was born, his family moved to Messina, Sicily where he called home. At age 13, he moved to the United States. Ralph graduated Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida where he met his late wife Jacqueline Mathis. Ralph married Jackie in 1961 and they went on to have two children, Anthony and Stephanie. Ralph attended the University of Florida and graduated with a Physics degree in 1960. He also received his PMD from Harvard Business School in 1976. He served on the Board of Directors for Tropicana Products and was also Director of Personnel for the company. When Tropicana Products sold, as a second career he went to work for Smith Barney as an investment consultant where he retired in 2017. Ralph was a faithful and loyal servant to God. He was active in his church, First Sarasota and loved sharing Jesus Christ with those around him. He was a member of The Gideons International and served on numerous Christian-based foundations and boards. Ralph also loved traveling, reading, and ballroom dancing. Ralph is survived by his son Anthony Nicosia (Karri) of Denver, Colorado; his daughter, Stephanie Lipnick (Michael) of Atlanta, Georgia; his grandchildren Anthony Nicosia of Woodland Park, Colorado, and Whitney St. Laurent (Joel) of Birmingham, Alabama; his four great grandchildren Anderson, Ralph, Jeffrey, and Stillman; his niece Yvonne Whitcomb (John) of Tampa, Florida; his four great nephews Taylor, Zachery, Alex, and Julian; his cousins Daniela, Alena, and Andrea Schiro of Sarasota, Florida; his sister in law Gayle Mathis Powell and niece Leigh Davis of North Carolina. A service for Ralph will be held Friday, October 28th, 2022 at 11:30am at First Sarasota Church 1661 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27th, 2022, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236. Ralph will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gideons International or Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center.

Tributes

Ralph Nicosia

December 25, 1941 - October 18, 2022