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Ralph Tolve's Online Memorial Photo

November 1st 1934
April 20th 2021
Memorial Curator

Memorial Biography

Ralph John Tolve Jr., 86, of Cary NC, died peacefully on April 20, 2021. He was born in the Bronx, NY to Nettie and Ralph John Tolve Sr. on November 1, 1934. He graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School and Iona College, Majoring in Economics and Business. Ralph’s career started at 14 years old, selling lemonade to thirsty beachgoers from a backpack at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. He fast tracked with Restaurant Associates, working his way up to President of Operations, which included running the food operations at many restaurants and stadiums as well as the U.S Tennis Open at Flushing Meadows and at the New York World’s Fair in the mid-1960s where his company unveiled the now-famous Belgium waffles. After Restaurant Associates, he and his good friend and partner, Richard Blumenthal, owned and operated one of the top hotel and catering businesses in Rockland County, New York. Ralph had an outgoing personality, a smile for everyone, and was a true joy to be around. He loved hosting family and friends for large get-togethers, and shared his extensive business experience and knowledge through various mentorships. Ralph is survived by his wife, Chris, whom he was married to for over 60 years. Ralph courted Chris with the newly introduced frozen milkshakes in 1958 at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, where they both worked that summer. Two years later they were married, with the reception at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Ralph has been blessed with three children: Susan (husband, Doug), David (wife, Heather), Andrea (husband, Keith) and seven grandchildren: Daniel Reinis (wife, Val), Samantha Reinis Pendergist (husband, Austin), Lauren and John Tolve, Charles, Katelin, and William Alexander and one awesome great grandson, Rowan Reinis. He is survived by his younger brother, Robert. A mass will be held for family and friends at St. Michael the Archangel on High House Road in Cary, North Carolina on May 14 at 1 PM. The mass will also be live streamed at https://www.stmichaelcary.org/live-mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Duke University Hospital and Transitions LifeCare.