Ralph Pignataro

Ralph Pignataro, age 87, was a great many things to a great many people: a devoted husband, loving father and father in law, doting grandfather, great grandfather, caring brother, and loyal friend. On Friday, May 14, 2021, Ralph passed away peacefully at Huntington Hospital while surrounded by loved ones, whom he called his babies.

The only son of the late Anthony Pignataro and Maria Pignataro (nee Volpe) of Conversano, Italy, Ralph was born on April 8, 1934 in Hicksville, New York. A 1951 graduate of Hicksville High School, Ralph married his high-school sweetheart, Jean Pignataro (nee Porcello), with whom he would have three children: Donna, Tina and Anthony Pignataro. Ralph would become known to the community of Hicksville as the amiable owner of the Fairhaven Garden Center, which he opened in 1956 from the foundations of his family farm off Route 107. Ralph and his father turned the Fairhaven Garden Center into one of the longest running garden centers on Long Island, which would go on to serve the greater Hicksville community until July 2000.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Ralph. He loved being at home in the company of his children, and later his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he would regale with his favorite tales from the farm, or the ‘home country’: Italy. A consummate gardener, Ralph would grow tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables in his home garden, just to provide it to others – neighbors, friends, family or whoever happened to walk by his cul-de-sac on Foxwood Rd in Old Bethpage. Known to affectionately greet strangers and friends alike as ‘babe’, Ralph had an amazing personality and his love for others far exceeded his 5’ 7” frame, as evidenced by his pet saying to less-vertically challenged classmates at Hicksville High: “Nevermind, I’ll be as tall as you some day”. In life, and now in death, Ralph always had a way to bring a smile to those around him. He will be missed.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Jean; his sister, Anne; his children, Donna, Tina & Anthony; his son in law and daughter in law, Fred and Linda; his grandchildren, Bryan, Melissa, Anthony Joseph (‘AJ’), Evan, Michael, Meredith, and Andrew; his great-grandchildren, Madison, Harper and Sydney; and many cousins, and nieces/nephews who he adored as his own.

Though flowers are appreciated, if you chose, a donation can be made in Ralph's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.