Obituary of Harold E. Ralsten

Harold E. Ralsten, age 91, of Trumbull passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 15, 2016 at St. Vincent's Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Scholastica "Shelley" Wassel Ralsten. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 7, 1924, he was a son of the late Maxwell Everett Ralsten and Harriett Clara Savage Ralsten. He was a United States Navy Veteran serving in World War II and before his retirement, Mr. Ralsten was a mechanical engineer at Sikorsky Aircraft of with over 40 years of dedicated service. He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska, where he received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan and a model aircraft and drone enthusiast. He was also a 25 year member of the Trumbull EMS, a member of the American Helicopter Society and the Trumbull Indian Ledge Radio Control Club in addition to being a longtime member and usher at the Golden Hill United Methodist Church. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In addition to his beloved wife Shelley of 54 years, survivors include five loving children, Sharon Murray and her husband Ross of Trumbull, Cynthia Wilvert and her husband Jim of Glen Allen, VA, Wendy Palmieri and her husband Fred of Trumbull, Kenneth Ralsten and his wife Kelly of Newark, DE and Carol Costanzo and her husband Steven of Pawcatuck, CT and 14 cherished grandchildren, Jillian, Gregory, Maxwell, Mallory, Lauren, Joseph, Allison, Lance, William, Alexander, Everett, Andrew, Mark and Luke, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his four brothers, Donald, Merrill, Robert and Russell Ralsten and his son Jeffrey Everett Ralsten. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Nellie and Danny Velez for their loving care over the past years. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. Interment with full military honors will follow in Nichols Village Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm St., Bridgeport, CT 06604.