Ralph D’Antonio Sr.
Ralph L. D’Antonio Sr., 82, of Butler, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars with his loving family at his side.
Born Aug. 7, 1943, in Butler, he was the son of the late Rocco and Margaret Cherry D’Antonio.
A graduate of Slippery Rock University and the College of William & Mary, he was employed for 32 years as a teacher for the Butler Area School District.
He had a great love for the city of Butler and served as Butler City Treasurer after his retirement, increasing the revenue of the city significantly during his years there.
Ralph and his wife loved to revisit Colonial Williamsburg, Va., and traveled there many times. Any festival in the city of Butler, as well as many in the Pittsburgh area, would find Ralph there enjoying the music, food or art. He was at home dancing in the streets while at the Italian festival in Bloomfield or at the rib cookoff downtown. A trip to the Strip District in Pittsburgh was always a great day.
He was a member of All Saints Parish, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church. He belonged to the Italian Society of Butler, the Sons and Daughters of Italy and the Butler Cubs, where he enjoyed playing handball and swimming. He was also a member of the Butler YMCA, swimming there every morning after retirement, and playing pickleball. He managed the pool at Butler Memorial Park during the summers for years. He volunteered and coached Special Olympics swimming and cheered for all his swimmers as they competed. A well-rounded athlete, he enjoyed playing many sports but particularly loved playing and watching golf, especially when puffing on a good cigar while on the course.
He loved his family, his friends, his dogs, good food, good chocolate, a good red wine, cooking on the grill and having a good time.
Ralph is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy Jurkiewicz D’Antonio, whom he married July 11, 1987; four children, Michael D’Antonio, of Butler, Eve D’Antonio, of Sarasota, Fla., Jennifer Ames and her husband, David Matthews, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Victoria Ridder and her husband, Alex, of Meilen, Switzerland; six grandchildren, Michael D’Antonio, Justin D’Antonio, Tanner Lust, Rocco D’Antonio, Thomas Ridder and Lucas Ridder; two brothers, James D’Antonio and his wife, Judy, of Butler, and Michael D’Antonio and his wife, Mary Lou, of La Grande, Ore.; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Ralph D’Antonio Jr.; one son who died in infancy; and one brother, Joseph D’Antonio.
D’ANTONIO — All services will be held privately for Ralph L. D’Antonio Sr., who died Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Donations may be made in Ralph’s memory to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of MARTIN FUNERAL HOME SOUTH SIDE, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.
Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.
