Family, Faith, Friendships, Academics, and Athletics

Who – Ralph Puccinelli was a Virginia Gentleman of deep faith in his Catholic upbringing in the northside of Richmond, Virginia. Ralph was one of three siblings and many cousins all living together at times under one roof. Ralph was the son of Bianca and O. Ralph Puccinelli Sr. Ralph’s mom was born in Viareggio, Italy, a city in Northern Tuscany, and spoke very little English. Ralph grew up surrounded by family. Sunday Dinners would always be an important gathering of family from Ralph’s childhood through his marriage and these gatherings still occur today through his children.  Ralph’s parents both worked very hard to send their kids to Catholic schools in the Richmond area in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, including Saint Paul’s, Benedictine and Saint Gertrude’s High School. Ralph married Mary Elizabeth Johnson who he had known at St. Paul’s and Saint Gertrude High School but didn’t begin dating until later at RPI (VCU). Ralph and Mary would have 7 children; Mark, John, Mary Anne, Matthew, Mary Beth, Luke and Mary Kathleen. All children attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Benedictine and Saint Gertrude’s High School. Ralph served on many boards and committees during his years along with being a Knights of Columbus member. Ralph deeply believed in the benefits of Catholic Education and the values it instills for the next generation of leaders.  He built many friendships throughout Richmond over the years and was always very fond of the brotherhood and values he learned from Benedictine. He would always say, “Benedictine wasn’t easy but it was the place that was the foundation for his success in life”. He owned and operated Financial Accounting Services which he founded in 1982. The Accounting and Financial Planning business continues to be run today by his three sons. Ralph and Mary have 21 grandchildren and many you can find in the Catholic Schools today throughout the Richmond area.

 

What – The O. Ralph Puccinelli Foundation will look to help Catholic families by offering financial assistance for grades K-12 throughout the Richmond community.  The Foundation will offer scholarships and donations to Richmond Catholic Schools to ensure that children are able to participate in Catholic Education.  We will host an Annual Golf Scramble to assist in fundraising a scholarship at Benedictine Schools of Richmond.

 

Why – Catholic Education was very important to Ralph and he was passionate about it remaining affordable to Catholic families throughout the community. Catholic Schools instill the values important to our family and it would be a great honor to help those families continue their faith through Catholic education.  Catholic schools in Richmond are some of the premier schools in the area offering a great foundation to our children to raise young men and woman that are kind, intelligent, honest, compassionate, accountable, and faithful Christians with moral integrity and conscience.