RALPH ZANNELLI _____NEW ENGLAND BOXING CHAMPION

RALPH ZANNELLI, “The Ripper”, 91, of Providence, a New England Middleweight and Welterweight Boxing Champion, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2006, at Elmhurst Extended Care. He was the beloved husband of the late Viola (DeRobbio) Zannelli. Born in Seneca Falls, New York, he was the son of the late Benedetto and Christina Zannelli. He lived most of his life in Providence.

Ralph became a professional boxer at the age of twenty, after fighting 300 fights in three years as an amateur and becoming a 1936 R.I. Golden Gloves Champion. During his stellar career of nearly 150 professional contests, he fought eight world champions: Johnny Bratton, Fritzi Zivic, Henry Armstrong, Ike Williams, “Kid” Gavilan, Sammy Angott, Johnny Judick and “Sugar” Ray Robinson. In 1987, he was the first R.I. athlete to be inducted in the R.I. Heritage Hall of Fame and in 1988 he was inducted into the Italian American Hall of Fame. During his boxing years, he trained youngsters at the Federal Hill House and in the cities of Coventry and Cranston and also trained members of the R.I. State Police under Colonel Walter Stone. He was selected as an Ambassador of Good Will for the elderly community by the City of Providence. For his generous donation of time, equipment and money to the youth of the State, Governor Garrahy proudly presented him with license plate KO 1. Even to this day, Ralph’s name is synonymous with boxing in Rhode Island. The bout by promoter Jimmy Burchfield, between Gary “Tiger” Balletto and Matt Strode, which was fought last night at the Convention Center, was advertised in advance as honoring Ralph for his outstanding career and for paving the way for future Champions.

After his retirement from Boxing, he worked for the former Gammino Construction Co. and Hanley Brewery. He was a member of Special Olympics, the Cranston League, International Veteran Boxers Association, Cauliflower Ear Club, Ring 107 Boxing Club and the International Laborers Union, Local 57. He was also a communicant of Holy Ghost Church.

He leaves three children, Ralph O. Zannella, Dolores C. Mambro and Violet A. Scungio; two sisters, Angelina Chotkowski and Elizabeth Finelli; seven devoted grandchildren and 8 loving great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Benny Zannelli, Ruth Carlevale and Louis Zannelli.

Visitation Monday morning 8-10am, at the MACERONI Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in Holy Ghost Church, Knight St., Providence. Entombment will be in Our Risen Christ Mausoleum, St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.