Ralph Gerard Pfarr, 90, of Kenosha, died Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Brookside Care Center.
Born in Kenosha on April 18, 1922, Pfarr was the son of the late Gerard and Lucille (Kleist) Pfarr. He attended St. George Grade School, Washington Junior High School, Mary D. Bradford High School and Kenosha Technical School.
On July 26, 1947, he married the love of his life, Bernice Mary (Zeitler) Pfarr.
For more than 40 years, Ralph ran the family business, Pfarr’s Super Service at the corner of 50th Street and Sheridan Road, with his father and three of his brothers. A master mechanic, Ralph distinguished himself as Kenosha’s carburetor expert, teaching classes for the Carter Carburetor Field School.
A lifetime member of St. George Catholic Church and its successor parish, St. Elizabeth, Ralph was a past president of the parish council and served as a lector and eucharistic minister. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus.
Among Ralph’s other interests were bowling and cycling -- he was a member of the Kenosha Wheelmen and a 1937 state cycling champion. Ralph was also a master magician who entertained hundreds at parties over the years as a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and he remained quick with a slight-of-hand trick well into his final years.
Ralph’s prolific community involvement also involved memberships in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 1055 (past president and secretary); the Danish Brotherhood; the Polish Legion of American Veterans (honorary member); the Northside Businessmens Association (past president); the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); the Senior Action Council; the Kenosha Senior Citizens Center; Friends of the Kenosha Public Museums; and Friends of the Lighthouse. Ralph was also a founder, past president and board member of the Automotive Technicians of Southeastern Wisconsin (ATSEW) and was co-founder and master of ceremonies of the Intergenerational Faire, in which retired seniors share their crafts and hobbies with schoolchildren.
Above all, however, Ralph adored caring for and spending time with his loving family.
He is survived by his wife; his daughters, Sister Barbara Pfarr SSND of St. Francis, Beverly (Stephen) Salituro of Kenosha and Kimberly (John Potente) Pfarr of Kenosha; his grandchildren, Stephen Michael Salituro of Kenosha and Stephanie Michelle Salituro of Madison; and his honorary grandchildren, Joe and Rachel Potente of Kenosha. He is also survived by his brother, Earl Pfarr of Racine.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Bob, George and Jerry.
Funeral Services and a Mass of Christian Burial were held on October 2, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, followed by interment in St. James Cemetery.