Ride Report posted for Liver
WWR gathered at 0845 in 17 degree weather to honor the life service of Dr. Ralph Cantafio on the 30th of January at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Devon PA. 

Ralph would carry the shrapnel in his chest for over 65 years and during that time he would join the US Navy (LTJG), become a Doctor, father 3 Children, lose one, be a remarkable husband to his wife Marie and pass quietly at the Hospital he help founded, Paoil Memorial. 

Ralph Cantafio was my Uncle.

Not only was it one of my greatest honors to be at his funeral but to RC the escort and help represent the men and women of the WWR who stood up for my Uncle and our family in our time of need.

The response of my family to the WWR was, in a single word, awestruck.

Upon entering the church no one could miss the WWR standing in a flag line across the whole front of the Church in bitterly cold weather while my family gathered to pay their respects. When the ceremony was complete and we carried my Uncle’s flag draped casket to the hearse the WWR stood in salute as everyone exited the Church following the casket. Pastor Wilson, a Veteran of the RAF like his father, came out to thank all of the WWR while the family got into their cars.

Bobcat, having arranged for Police to lead us along the route – one that would cover 4 Counties and 5 Municipalities – helped to organize the line of vehicles which included 12 of the WWR (2 bikes – FeFe & Dave) and many family members from across the Country. The procession would navigate 11 miles of traffic down Route 30 with Police escort and flawless handoffs between each change in municipality, without losing a single car, until we would reach West Laurel Hill Cemetery 45 minutes later.

As the cars crossed from one side of the 100+ acre cemetery they wound up into the hills to the place where much of my family is buried, a hillside plot overlooking the Schuylkill River. As the family arrived the WWR were silently standing on the hill above and around the grave site while Pastor Wilson said a prayer – one that included the WWR.

The Military Honor Guard bugler played a perfect rendition of Taps and then joined her partner in folding the flag that covered the casket. The young soldier who handed my Aunt spoke in very hushed tones for quite a while, leaned in and gave her a hug. He could see her heart just breaking – breaking from the loss but also from the compassion of all in attendance who were standing for Ralph and yet she had never met before. Thanks from a grateful nation and a final farewell for a husband and father just as the snow began to fall.

After the funeral as we gathered I took the coin I was going to give my Uncle one day, wrapped it in the US Army patch from my vest, and gave them to his only Grandson Christian to hold in his honor.

All through the night those attending could not but help remark about the WWR – present, unobtrusive, silent, reverent, respectful… freezing –

and how much my Uncle would have loved everything they had done and how thankful they all were. 
As an RC I cannot express my thanks for those who gave their time on Saturday (and during the week) to this escort.

As a Nephew I am, quite honestly, speechless.

From all of us many thanks from a grateful family for all that you do and may God bless and keep every one of you.

 George B. Park, III

‘Liver’

 

 

Ralph was 84 when he passed. 

Ralph had been drafted (along with his entire Military School Class) to join the fight abroad during the Second World War. Serving as a Private with the 4th Armored Division he would come ashore at Utah beach and take the fight to the enemy up and into the Battle of the Bulge where he was gravely wounded by enemy fire. Recovered from a tree the shell had blown him into when it went off he would eventually make it to a Hospital in Paris which was subsequently bombed to the ground by the Germans. Having been left behind a hospital door and forgotten during the bombing Ralph saw a German man approaching him and figured this time would be his last. The man remarked “we better get you out of here” and carried him to safety.