Ralph Frank Riggitano, (85), of Pennsville, New Jersey, passed away on March 3, 2024.

Ralph, fondly known as “Pops”, was born to Frank and Mary Riggitano, on July 4, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he was raised as a child and young adult before marrying and relocating his family in the Cape May Area.

Ralph is survived by his son Frank (Jeanette) of Dennisville, NJ; his daughter Amy Emmons (Ken) of Pennsville; his son in law Robert Walker (Daughter, Laura, Predeceased) of Pennsville, and his father in law, Herbert Lehman (Arlene) of Cape May. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew and Julianna Riggitano; Laura Morrow(Jack); Ken Emmons Jr(Jill); Cameron Walker(Linzi); Mitchell Walker, and Spencer Walker (Julianna). In addition, Pops leaves behind four great grandchildren: Johnny and Myla Morrow, Tripp Emmons, and Elianna Walker.

After his high school graduation from Bishop Neumann High School in 1956, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served three years, before entering the Police Academy in Philadelphia. He then went on to become a patrolman and later a detective on the Philadelphia Police force for 13 years before accepting the Chief of Police position in West Cape May. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a Salesman for the Texas Avenue Food Market in Cape May and Seashore Foods before concluding his working career as a bartender at the Villas Fishing Club. He finally settled in the Pennsville area living with his daughter Laura and son in law Robert where he continued to hone in on his skills as the top thoroughbred race horse handicapper handing out several winners in big time races like the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Cup for many years..

Aside from his love for his family and horse racing, Pops was passionate about Philadelphia sports teams and the great game of baseball. Like others his age, he labored through many losing seasons as a Philly fan. His suffering was much worse because he grew up as a Philadelphia A’s , Eagles and Warriors fan more than anything. The Phillies and Flyers excitement did not flourish until he had kids and grandkids. The tears of joy and utter relief of an Eagles Super Bowl victory in 2018 was indescribable.

But it was always baseball that he enjoyed the most and he always made the game available for his children, grandchildren and so many others through coaching and conversation. He was always the first to sign up for a volunteering event and enjoyed spending his free time coaching several levels of baseball during a 50 year period. Along with several Lower Township Babe Ruth teams, high school and Pennsville Little League teams, he was largely responsible for creating the Lower Township Whalers, a team he later led into battle as the first representative area team in the Atlantic County Baseball League. Many of those initial tournaments he paid for out of his own pocket so that local high school and college players had a place to play ball. Probably his two proudest moments came when he coached an All Star team of area college players in the prestigious Bridgeton Tournament and the other as the Head Coach of Wildwood Catholic when he coached against many of the players he coached for in the summer. One in particular was his son Frank. In that game, he used six infielders and several other tricks to try to win the game for his kids. He positively impacted our community, and he will be truly missed.

Ralph’s family will host a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 16, 2024.Visitation will be 10 am -11 am at the Laughrey Funeral Home, 1 North Broadway, Pennsville, NJ 08070. Following the service family and friends may gather from 12 noon-3 p.m. at the Woodstown Hotel Tavern, 13 N Main St, Woodstown, NJ 08098. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the local youth baseball organization of your choice in his name.