Francis J. Ranalli

. It is with deep love and gratitude that we reflect on the life of Francis J. Ranalli, 79, of West Chester, PA who passed away on March 20, 2026.

Born in 1946, he was the son of the late James and Emma (Vagnoni) Ranalli.

Francis was the beloved husband of Maria (née Purzycki) Ranalli, with whom he shared 52 wonderful years of marriage; loving father of Vincent (Jennifer), Matthew (Mary Ann) and Christopher (Amanda); devoted grandfather of Gretta, James, Cole, Lindsey, Andrew, Katherine, Charlotte and Lincoln; proud brother of the late Amelia Ranalli Donaldson and Lorraine Ranalli Baldwin.

Francis graduated from St. Bernadette’s Elementary School and Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA. He received a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Dayton and his Master of Arts in Education from Ohio University.

Francis worked as an Educator and later as the owner of multiple Hallmark Gold Crown stores alongside his wife, Maria. In both careers he had a unique way of teaching; never forceful, always patient; leaving impressions that would guide his family for years to come.

Perhaps the career of which he was most proud was his service in the U.S. Army. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in April 1968 and served until November 1992, retiring as a Colonel. During his service, he had numerous assignments including Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Assistant Professor of Military Science and Deputy Inspector General for a major Army command. Francis considered himself fortunate to have served under some of the Army’s finest leaders and mentors. He had a gift for friendship, nurturing bonds that endured across decades. He had a rare and admirable ability to remain connected to those who had known him in both his earliest years and as he aged.

Francis was the heart of his family’s history, documenting ancestors and their stories with pride. Through his dedication, his family not only grew in number but also in affection. His legacy was perhaps most evident on a family trip to Italy, centered on reconnecting with relatives and retracing his lineage.

Francis was happiest on his beloved 72 nd Street beach in Sea Isle City, NJ. He could often be found sitting under an umbrella with his feet in the sand, keeping a careful eye on his grandchildren and sharing laughter and stories with a Tootsie Pop in hand.

He will be deeply missed and forever present in the stories, traditions, and paths he helped forge.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 10:30 AM-12:00 PM Tuesday, March 24, 2026 and to his Funeral Mass 12:00 PM at SS Simon & Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct, West Chester, PA 19382. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed, starting at 12:00 PM, here: https://www.youtube.com/@SimonandJudeParish/streams. Interment SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Camilla Hall, www.ihmimmaculata.org/give, USO, https://pa.uso.org/ or Kidney Cancer Association, https://www.kidneycancer.org/