Rev. Ralph L. Giovinetti, O.S.A. (1918-1974)
Rev. Ralph L. Giovinetti, O.S.A. entered eternal life on May 30, 1974.
Ralph Leonard Giovinetti was born on March 12, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John and Philomena (Marucci) Giovinetti. He was baptized on July 23, 1918 at St. Rita Catholic Church, Philadelphia. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 2, 1926 in the same church.
After studying for one year at Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia, Ralph entered the Augustinian program of formation at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, in 1933. He received his high school diploma in 1936 and was received into the Augustinian Novitiate. He professed vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 10, 1937. Ralph earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1941. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest on May 18, 1944. He did graduate studies of Latin at Catholic University of America, Washington.
In 1945, Father Giovanetti was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, where he taught for the next 29 years. He also coached basketball and served as Athletic Director.
He died on May 30, 1974 after suffering a heart attack at St. Rita Monastery, Chicago.
Father Giovinetti was originally buried in the Augustinian plot at St. Mary’s Hall, Villanova. When that cemetery was relocated to the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, in 1980, Father Giovanetti’s body was moved there.
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