Page created by: Elisabeth Harris

On August 6, 2025 we said good-bye to an amazing husband, Dad, PopPop, Uncle and friend. Ralph was a man of faith, kind, loyal, and committed to his family. He will be remembered as a true gentleman, perfectly dressed, smiling and always surrounded by his girls. His playful spirit and quick wit will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family and friends. His was a life well-lived and was so very loved by all who ever met him.

Raphael "Ralph" Joseph Bilotta
October 11, 1928 - August 6, 2025
Raphael Joseph Bilotta (Ralph, Sonny Boy, Dad, PopPop), in his 97th year, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, surrounded by his greatest loves, family and music.

He was the beloved husband of Joan Bilotta (predeceased him in 2017) his forever love for 57 years; the cherished father of Susan Bilotta (Somerset, NJ); Julie Bilotta (Charlotte, NC) and Joan Harris (Summit, NJ). He was PopPop to 3 grandchildren who adored him: Alyssa Kappert, Cameron Harris and Elisabeth Harris. He was so excited to have another man in the family when Alyssa married Josh Kappert. On July 28, he became a great PopPop to a baby girl, Rory Drew Kappert. An amazing Uncle to twelve nieces and nephews and brother to Mary Rosato (predeceased), Joseph Bilotta (predeceased), Jean Parr (predeceased), Mildred Bilotta (predeceased), and Dolores Barone.

Ralph, the son of Gerard and Susan, was one of six children raised in Jersey City. He attended Dickenson High School and later earned a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Although Ralph was a Mechanical Engineer by profession, his true passion was music. He initially learned to play the drums from his brother Joe at a very young age but soon transitioned to the clarinet. With his mother's assistance, Ralph rented a clarinet, and it was love at first note. Throughout his life, he played both the clarinet and saxophone.

When Ralph was called to serve his country in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, he did so, playing music. He played the saxophone and clarinet for the Army while stationed in Germany. During his time there, he had the honor of performing in a band that accompanied many superstars of the era, including Eddie Fischer and Vic Damon.

Always a hard-working and devoted family man, Ralph worked for Kellogg and Foster Wheeler engineering firms before retiring at the young age of 71. However, his authentic profession and calling was the clarinet, something he never retired from. He would practice for hours and played in swing and community bands his entire life. He played for over 25 years in the Chatham Community and Jazz Bands.

In 1958 Ralph met the true love of his life Joan Geraigiry down at the Jersey Shore. They married in 1960 living in Brooklyn, NY before moving to Parsippany, NJ in 1972. They had a marriage admired by many.

Ralph was a man of faith, kind, loyal, and committed to his family. He will be remembered as a true gentleman, perfectly dressed, smiling and always surrounded by his girls. His playful spirit and quick wit will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family and friends. His was a life well-lived and was so very loved by all who ever met him.

Arrangements have been made through the Hillsborough Funeral Home in Hillsborough Township, NJ (796 US 206). Viewing will be Wednesday, August 13 from 4 pm – 7 pm, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church (32 Yorktown Road) in Hillsborough Township on Thursday, August 14 at 10:00 am. Entombment to follow in Holy Rood Cemetery in Morristown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in his memory be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation or
Chatham Community Band