DOB/DOD: September 16, 1916 (Norwalk, CT) – July 28, 1999 (Dayton, OH); 82 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Carmela M. Fabrizio (1921-1995) on April 26, 1941, in Norwalk, CT
CHILDREN: One son, Richard A. (1944-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 9 Godfrey Street, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: January 3, 1944
DISCHARGE: September 8, 1845
SERVICE NUMBER: 31409152
UNIT: 5th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Joseph (1891-1984) and Mary R. Santoro Tavella (1891-1975); both born in Italy. Three sisters, Fortunata “Nettie” Tavella Caruso (1913-2005), Antonetta “Palma” Tavella Pallarino (1918-2010), and Theresa B. Tavella Sullivan (1927-). Two brothers, Frank (1915-2001) and Dominick C. (1922-2005).
From The Norwalk Hour December 23, 1944
Private First Class Ralph Tavella, husband of Mildred Fabrizio Tavella, has been awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in France during combat in August. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Tavella of 9 Godfrey Street, he is with the Fifth Division of General Patton’s Third Army. He participated In the battle of Metz, according to word received by his wife. PFC Tavella entered the service in January 1944 and received his basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida. After a furlough, he was sent overseas to England and then to France. Prior to entering the service, PFC Tavella was employed by the Norwalk Hat Company for a number of years. Mrs. Tavella and their 18-month-old son are residing in Freeport, Long Island, NY.
From The Norwalk Hour August 4, 1999
Ralph John Tavella, 82, of Dayton, Ohio, a former resident of Norwalk, died July 28
in Dayton. He was the husband of the late Mildred Tavella. He was born in Norwalk, the son of the late Joseph and Mary Tavella. Mr. Tavella was retired from Heublein Co. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 5th Division of General George Patton’s 3rd Army. He participated in the Battle of Metz and was awarded the Purple Heart. He is survived by a son, Richard Tavella of Dayton; two brothers, Frank J. Tavella of Ocala, Florida, and Cosmo “Mickey” Tavella of Naples, Florida, and Norwalk; three sisters, Nettie Caruso, Pam Pallarino, and Teresa Sullivan, all of Norwalk; two grandsons and two great-grandsons. Private memorial services were held Sunday at Schilentz
& Moore Funeral Home in Dayton. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, East Avenue, Norwalk.
Inurned in Davids Cemetery, 4600 Mad River Road, Dayton, Ohio; Mausoleum Niche Section II, Lot 4. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
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