Ralph Dimenna

Todd M. Ginder

May he Rest in Peace. Sincere condolences to the family.

Ralph Dimenna lived not only a long and blessed life, his was a life full of adventure, merriment, and generosity of spirit for and towards others. Like me, he loved cruises, and travel, and dancing. He too was gifted with a large family–his of loving sons and daughters, including a son who is one of my greatest and best friends–Grey Dimenna, now a retired lawyer. Grey and I worked together at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education, in the heady years when the agency was headed by Ted Hollander, the three-term Chancellor of Higher Education. I am sure that Grey was the model and apple of his father’s eye–both charitable, brilliant and loving human beings–and the best kind of kindred spirits. Grey’s dad, Ralph, showed the way, in war and peace-time, having cut a path of unyielding courage, undaunted success, and many triumphs over evil. In the pursuit of freedom and justice, Ralph Dimenna was unflappable and kep the faith. He exhibited an all-around good humor and sense of hopefulness.

Ralph Dimenna’s rewards for his gift to humanity and to his country were bountiful and well-earned, for he was the best kind of human being that we could have in his times and ours: he was a man of humility, and decency, and integrity; he was a friend of many, especially as a crusader for rights over wrongs. His life lifted the spirits of his family and of his friends and, I dare say, of his grateful nation. For in the days when his country called upon him to serve, to win victories over evil and despair, Ralph Dimenna was here and “over there”, a shining example of nerve and fearlessness. He won his victories without downgrading others and by lifting up his nation’s best values and principles.

No doubt Ralph Dimenna’s nation owed him much, in part because he gave his nation so much love and virtue. Living in an imperfect nation, Ralph Dimenna won victories for humanity and for the good, for the survival and the betterment of our nation. In ordinary and hard-times, Ralph Dimenna proved his mettle and his love of country– and his country was bettered by the trials and tribulations of their American Son. Ralph Dimenna was good to and for his country, and his nation was the better because of Ralph Dimenna’s example and victories for his nation.

Ralph Dimenna’s life had purpose; in death, Ralph Dimenna should be remembered and memorialized as a man of principle, of decency, of worth, of moral courage. His life reminds me of the early spiritualist Zoroaster’s principles: “Good thoughts, goodwords, good deeds.” May Ralph Dimenna truly rest in peace, for he finished his race with integrity and as a shining example of steadfastness that exhibited the best of all of us.

Michael Meyers
President
New York Civil Rights Coalition
315 West 39th Street, Suite 1104
New York, New York 10018

My deepest condolences, Florie, at the passing of your father. May God rest his soul while comforting you, all his family and those who love him. Sending prayers and hugs. 💕🛐🙏🏻

I remember Ralph as a guiding soul and an influential part of my life. As a father figure, he advised me on many important life matters, through difficult times as well as happy times. I loved him very much and was honored to have him as my father figure and confidant. I will never forget the warm times we shared and the invaluable advice he provided through dark times. I will miss him as a friend, and a wise and loving dad.