Sarkis Ralph Toomajanian

Sarkis Ralph Toomajanian, Ralph was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan in 1931 to Mark Anthony and Agnes (Kirkorian) Toomajanian. He was the oldest son of seven children, and a proud Armenian. Ralph loved to tell stories of his childhood and teenage years growing up in Detroit near Belle Isle. He was a storyteller at heart. One of his favorite memories was when company would come over. They would be coming in the front door and his mother would send him out the back door to go to Sanders to pick up a colonial butter cream cake. Another one of his stories was during the bus strike his father would walk from Belle Isle to the Ford Rouge plant. His father was a proud man would never ask for help, so Ralph devised a plan where the neighbor would watch for his father to leave the house and he would pull up and pick him up and drive him to work, this lasted until the end of the strike. Ralph was never sure if his father knew that this was an arrangement  he had made but he was proud of himself for thinking of it.  He has always been a family man. He loved his father and adored his mother, who was a joyful person and the life of the party. He loved listening to his mother play the piano and sing Danny Boy. Ralph was a proud Korean War Veteran. He was a Staff sergeant and a Medic at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, which is where his favorite son Jeff and favorite oldest daughter Gail were born. The first time Ralph came home on leave, his mother said go put your uniform on, when Ralph asked why and she said your father is taking you out for a coke, he wants to show you off because he is proud that his son is serving his country.

Ralph is survived by his four children Jeffrey (Sheryl) Toomajanian, Gail Manning, Ruth ( John) Maxwell favorite middle daughter and Carrie (Gary) Provenzano favorite youngest daughter. Ralph raised his children all on his own which in 1960 was not commonly done. At first all of his children had to be separated due to unforeseen circumstances, but Ralph worked tirelessly to get his children all back under one roof. He was only 30 years old at the time, with a six month old, a three year old, and 6 year old and a seven year old, it was a very difficult time for him, but he never wavered, not when it came to his children. Ralph was a shining example of hard work, loyalty, honesty, strength, tenacity, service, sacrifice and family.   During the nine month long paper strike, Ralph delivered beer for Stroh's Brewery and worked at NBD Bank, and then continued to also work at The Free Press when the strike was over. Four children, three jobs, one Hungarian housekeeper, he was an incredible man. Because he lived with compassion Ralph helped  many people throughout his life.  Ralph also loved to give back, whether it was the Newsboys paper drive or the Ruth Alden dress drive, he always raised money and gave of his time.

Ralph is also survived by His sister Marylyn Warren and his brother Robert (Jean) Toomajanian. He was pre deceased in death by his siblings, Virginia, Mary, John, and Charles (Pauline).

Ralph had no greater love than for his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. He is survived by Mark (Jane) Maxwell proud parents of Nicholas, Connor and Owen. Teri Abbo (Paul) Sutherland proud parents of  Christian and Lexi, Brandon ( Jenny) Manning, Sarah (Mark) Anderson proud parents of Amelia and Hazel. William (Allison) Toomajanian, Anthony ( Alexandra) Provenzano, Annalisa Provenzano and  Adante (Mandy) Provenzano

Ralph was fortunate to have had many kind hearted people in his life, specifically, Ruth and James Johnson, John and Terry Cicala, Mike and Bonnie Murphy, Sam Rodriquez, Carl and Judy Davis, Miss Loreen, Chuck Wolschlager and his Fraser Villa family especially Kelly Stuglin, Anna and Linda

He also had some very special family in his life, His sister Marylyn, Ron and Dawn Warren, Kelly and Mark Woerful and their son Max, Rick Toomajanian and Randy and Julie Toomajanian  and their families. John and Daun Kish and their entire family Chris and Tina Nichols and the entire Thomas family, and his Detroit Tigers comrade Jimmy (Stone) Johnson.

Due to the pandemic we will be having a semi private funeral. If you were a friend to Ralph please feel free to stop by and say hello or share a memory, but if you are a friend or coworker of the family please feel free to drop a note or a call. Thank you for your understanding.

Ralph passed away peacefully on June 1st, 2021. Visitation will take place on Saturday, June 5th from 3pm until 8pm with a 5pm service and military honors at Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 25800 Harper Avenue (Three blocks north of 10 mile road), St. Clair Shores. He will be taken to rest at Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkley MI at a later date.

Due to the pandemic social distancing must be maintained and facial masks are required for those who are not vaccinated.