Skip to content

Ralph C. DiPesa

Ralph C. DiPesa, an award-winning Mechanical Tool Designer and extraordinary artist and sculptor, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2020 at Mass General Hospital following a lengthy illness at the age of 97. Born in Boston in 1923, he was the devoted son of the late Michael and Josephine (Sacco) DiPesa. Ralph faithfully served his country in the United States Army in Europe and North Africa during World War II. Upon his return from active duty, he relocated to Revere and attended the Boston Trade School before embarking on his career as an aircraft engine mechanical designer with General Electric in Everett, where he worked for nearly forty years. While at GE, Ralph was honored by his peers with several awards, including Tool Designer of the Year.

Upon his retirement in 1987, he fulfilled his passion for the arts by devoting his life to painting, sculpting and studies on the philosophy of life. Several of his sculptures won first-prize awards at the Topsfield Fair. He and his wife Dorothy were also original group members of the Revere Society for Cultural & Historic Preservation, Inc. (RSCHP). Postcard reprints of his famous “Revere Beach Gazebo” painting raised significant funds for the organization. Ralph was a brilliant and sensitive family man who always shared the benefit of his wisdom with his family and friends. He made the world a better place for which we are all indebted through his extraordinary life and experience.

He remained a lifelong resident of Revere, and is survived by Dorothy (Higgins), his beloved wife of 70 years, and his children, Ralph (Skip) and his wife Cheryl of Swampscott, MA, Stephen, of Revere, MA and Attorney Richard and his wife Lorene of Amesbury, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrea Bernard, Caren McEachern, Michelle DiPesa, Matthew DiPesa, Gail Neves, Eric DiPesa and Kayla Souliotis, together with nine great-grandchildren. Ralph is also survived by his sisters Nancy Ring of Revere and Lilian Cartier of Michigan. He was predeceased by his sister Florence DuPonte and brother, Anthony DiPesa.

A private graveside service with military honors will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lynn with a Celebration of Ralph’s Life to be held at a later date. Gifts in Ralph’s memory may be sent to the Revere Society for Cultural & Historic Preservation, Inc. (RSCHP), 108 Beach Street, Revere, MA 02151.

Sign up for Obituary Updates and you’ll be notified when new obituaries are added. Simply enter your email address below and click “subscribe”.

Return to Obituaries
4 Messages Send your condolences
  1. Robert Megerdichian
    Jan 4 2021

    Ralph DiPesa

    Dear DiPesa Family,

    Please accept my condolences for the passing of Mr. DiPesa. Though I did not know him, I felt a certain affinity after reading his death notice, for my late father Abraham was a veteran of WWII, a machinist and a metal artist too. He machined his interpretations of every day objects as gifts for family and friends for 30 years. I’ve been fortunate enough to have his art exhibited multiple times.

    Perhaps you will allow me to view Mr. DiPesa’s art sometime. For some joy at this sad time you’re welcome to view my father’s art at http://www.abesartwork.wordpress.com.

    I wish you peace and wellness in 2021.

    In sympathy,

    Robert Megerdichian
    ROBERT MEGERDICHIAN & ASSOCIATES – Buildings Measured and Drawn
    50 Chilton Street
    Cambridge, MA 02138
    617-547-1726 (o)
    http://www.cadcafmservices.com
    and, since 2011
    GLOVES REDONE – Baseball Gloves Re-laced, Repaired and Reconditioned
    617-547-1726 (o)
    http://www.glovesredone.com

  2. Gerry andButch
    Jan 3 2021

    It has been our pleasure to live across the street and know you.

  3. Marguerite Bova
    Jan 2 2021

    Ralph and Family,
    My heart and prayers are with you. God bless and be with your dear father and all of you ❤️

  4. Lois E. Diamond Diamond
    Dec 31 2020

    Truly another real Family man in our City has gone home to his God My heart is so sorry to read this as Ralph was so cevoted to his wife as she was to him. My fondest memories are when I would see Ralph and Dottie holding hands as they would cross the Municipal parking lot from the Rossetti – Cowen senior center. Thank you and Dottie for all the rides home from Immaculate Conception whe we used to teach at Immaculate CCD. Such fond memories of a truly caring man. Iknow Ralph is being welcomed in the arms of his Lord. Well Done faithful servant
    Sincerely Lois E. Diamond
    Former Program Coordinator
    Rossetti- Cowen Senior center

Send your condolences.

(required)
(required)

Note: HTML is allowed. Your email address will never be published or shared.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.