Ralph J. Manglass

Ralph Joseph Manglass: August 17, 1927- September 7, 2024 Ralph was born August 17, 1927 to Guisseppe and Teresa (Coumita) Manglass (Mangiacasale) in Newburgh, NY. He attended Newburgh schools and graduated in the Class of 1945 from Newburgh Free Academy. He was drafted into the army on his 18th birthday (August 17, 1945, the date of the Japanese surrender ending WWII- he said’ they knew I was coming’)

 After about 20 months of service as a clerk/typist helping discharge members of the greatest generation was discharged, returned home and worked briefly at his parent’s bar/tavern before taking advantage of the GI Bill and starting college at Purdue University.

 He graduated in 1951 with a degree in pharmacy and returned to NY and worked as a pharmacist in Wappingers Falls and Fishkill. He met Mary Anne Stevens during that time and they married January 16, 1954 and settled in Beacon and then Fishkill after heading back to Purdue for a short while for Ralph to pursue a graduate degree. The weather in Indiana didn’t agree with Mary’s New England temperament so they came back east.

 Son Ralph Jr. was born in 1960, followed by daughter Marie in 1962.

 In 1963 he opened Butterfield Pharmacy in Cold Spring, supported by the immense generosity and loyal friendship/partnership of the late Stanley Greenwald who also partnered with the founders of Fishkill and Hopewell Pharmacies, a true mensch. 

In the first year, Ralph commuted 7 days a week between Fishkill and Cold Spring (the store hours were 9 AM to 10 PM Monday to Saturday and 9 to 9 on Sundays.) 

The family moved to an apartment behind the store, which was owned by the store landlord Don Yannitelli, another generous soul who built the house on Benedict Road that the family would live in until the 1990’s (he said ‘Pay me when you can’). Another daughter, Amy was born in 1966. During the more than 30 years at Butterfield Pharmacy he started with himself and one cashier/ clerk and eventually employed his wife, his children, nieces and nephews, neighbors, several generations of Cold Spring and Garrison high schoolers and other local residents in what was a fixture in Cold Spring and known by many longtime residents as ‘the new drugstore’. Ralph retired from the store in the early 90’s and the space was taken over by the regional chain Drug World.

 During retirement Ralph and Mary moved from Cold Spring but stayed in touch with friends, particularly through activities with the Philipstown Senior Citizens. Settling first in East Fishkill in a 2-family house with Marie and her family and then in a Senior living complex in Beacon. Always sporting a “No Place for Hate” pin, Ralph was the kind of neighbor who was always helping everyone out. Cleaning off cars and moving them during a snowstorm and one time running back into the building during a fire to help the “older” people get out (He was 90). For this courageous act he received an award from the fire company and a scolding to never do this again. Their later years were spent in the Rhinebeck area. They spent much time with family and seldom missed an opportunity to visit a casino. 

Ralph and Mary lived independently until 2023 and enjoyed the loving care of both their daughters who lived close by during their later years. 

Mary passed away on August 8 and Ralph lost the light of his life. 

Ralph was predeceased by his 4 siblings Air Force SMSgt. James Manglass, Betty Torracca (Warren), Lena Farina (Nick) and most recently his younger brother Joseph Manglass. He also had several older half siblings who have passed on. There are many generations of Manglass cousins radiating from the Stony Point area related to Ralph’s Uncle Tony Manglass. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and Joseph’s wife Teresa Manglass.

Visitation for Ralph will be held on Friday September 27, 2024 from 4-7pm at Clinton Funeral Home, 21 Parrott Street, Cold Spring. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday September 28, 2024 at 9:30am at Our Lady of Loretto, 24 Fair Street, Cold Spring. Interment will follow in Cold Spring Cemetery.  After the burial of Ralph and Mary, there will be a celebration to follow at the American Legion, 10 Cedar Street  Cold Spring.  

Anyone who knows our dad knows that everyday for at least 10 years he has worn and handed out “no place for hate “ pins. They were originally given to him from a college roommate that he hadn’t seen since college. He only gave them to someone who agreed to wear it, and he has handed out thousands. I have since established a relationship with the anti defamation league because they are the “makers “ of these pins. My father not being Jewish they so appreciative of his efforts to make the world a safer, peaceful and better place that they loved him! Upon having hearing of his death they are sending me many pins to hand out to carry on his tradition. We will have them on hand for his service and the celebration the next day. I am asking anyone who would have sent flowers or wants to donate on his and my mom’s behalf to do so to this organization. They are going to get me information about where the donations would make the most difference. And I will post this information. I and my family know that this would mean so much to him.❤️❤️❤️😘