Ralph Francis Touch

Ralph Francis Touch passed away on October 1, 2026, surrounded by his family at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ, after a prolonged illness.

Ralph was born on January 8, 1962, in Bristol, PA, to the late Ralph B. Touch and Filomena Cianfrani Touch. The Touch family was complete with arrival of his younger brother Joseph D. and sister, Suzanne Marie. He attended Country Club Ridge Elementary School, A. Levitt High School, and Willingboro High School, graduating in 1979. In high school, Ralph was a member of the National Honor Society, the German Club, and the swim team. He was also the yearbook editor and played the clarinet and violin.

Ralph attended the University of Scranton, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1983. He then attended Duquesne University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1986.

Ralph began his legal career in family law at Babcock, Hennes & Bielory, Esqs., in Toms River, NJ, where he worked from May 1987 to March 1990. He then joined CNA Insurance as a staff attorney in its Parsippany, NJ, office, where he remained through 1994. He was subsequently promoted to Director/Managing Trial Attorney in CNA's Reading, PA, office and, in the interim, also managed CNA's Philadelphia Staff Counsel office.

Ralph remained in Staff Counsel until 2009, when he transitioned into claims as an Assistant Vice President, a position he held until 2017. He then brought his talents to Gallagher Bassett, where he served in numerous roles until his death, including Vice President of Claims, Senior Vice President of Claims, Claims Counsel, Vice President of Carrier Practice, and head of the Workers' Compensation and Subrogation divisions.

Ralph had an incredible knack for finding practical solutions to complex problems. He knew how to find the right people for the right jobs and was a mentor to everyone he hired.

Ralph was also active in the Borough of Fleetwood, first serving as a councilperson and later as President of Council. He absolutely loved Fleetwood and was always eager to do whatever he could to improve the town and benefit its residents.

Ralph was equally devoted to his church, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Kutztown, PA. For many years, he organized the annual spaghetti dinner, monthly Sunday breakfasts, and Lenten suppers. He was a fixture at weekly Mass and could never pass up a holiday craft show or raffle that benefited his beloved parish. He cherished the retired Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and was always ready to arrange a luncheon or drop off a holiday treat for them.

Ralph married Suzanne Pittella Touch, Esq. in September 1995, and they moved together from the Ocean County, NJ, area to Fleetwood, PA. They built a family and a life together in a place where they initially knew no one, but quickly gathered a group of lifelong friends who became family.

Ralph was a devoted father to Annalisa Maria, Nicholas Francis, and Laurianna Rose, all of whom are following in his footsteps toward legal careers. He loved family vacations with them, whether in Fleetwood, at the shore, or in the mountains. As he would say, "As long as we can all be together."

He taught his children to ski, swim, make repairs, and create countless crafts over the years. Ralph was also deeply involved in their schools and served as PTA president at Willow Creek Elementary.

Ralph was a Renaissance man of his time, and there was little he could not accomplish if he put his mind to it. Whether repairing something around the house, making a Halloween costume without a pattern, whipping up a quilt or baby blanket in a matter of hours, cooking for 150 people, or transforming an empty window into a stained-glass marvel, he could do it all-and do it expertly.

With is beautiful, mischievous blue eyes, his amazing smile and his ability to make anyone feel at ease, Ralph was charmer that everyone loved to be around. He definitely could not say no to a clearance aisle or antique shop, and he never paid full price!

Ralph requested a private ceremony for family, which was held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Mae Stump Funeral Home.

A Mass in his honor will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Kutztown.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Ralph's belief in service to others, donations to the following organizations are encouraged:

• St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Kutztown - Soup Kitchen Fund

• Alzheimer's Association

• Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ

• Memorial Sloan Kettering

• Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor, NJ

• Cape May Zoo, Cape May, NJ

Ralph specifically requested that you share your memories of him so they can be collected into a book for his children and future grandchildren. Please feel free to share your memories and favorite "Ralph" stories by emailing Midas8@msn.com. If you are attending the service, stationery will also be available for you to share your memories.

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