Raffaele "Ralph" Stile

Raffaele “Ralph” Stile, beloved father, friend, educator, outdoorsman, mentor and athlete, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, at the age of 90.

Born on March 21, 1936, in Lynbrook NY, Ralph was the only child of Sam and Vera (Drahos) Stile. Throughout his life, he was known for his generous spirit, steady leadership, kindness, and humor. He shaped the lives of countless students, family members, friends, and community members through both his professional career and the way he lived his life.

Upon his graduation from Freeport High School (NY), Ralph was selected to play minor league baseball for the New York Giants. Early in the season, an injury caused him to change his plans and enroll in college. Ralph graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oswego, where he earned his teaching degree, was a key player for the Oswego Lakers basketball team, and met his soon-to-be wife, Janet (Flugger) Delaney. Soon after college graduation, Ralph was drafted into the Army and reported for duty at Fort Dix, NJ on Sept. 9, 1959. He ended up in Augsburg, Germany, where Janet joined him for a time and their first daughter was born at the Army base hospital in 1961. Ultimately they returned to LI where Ralph accepted his first teaching job. Janet and Ralph raised three daughters together. He was a devoted husband and father.

Later in life, Ralph met Linda Marlowe, who would become his lifelong partner. He was devoted to her until his death, and treated her daughters as his own - with love, compassion, generosity, and support.

Professionally, Ralph dedicated himself to education and service within the Sachem community, beginning as an elementary teacher, then principal of Lynwood Avenue and Nokomis Elementary Schools. Upon retirement, he served multiple terms as a member of the Sachem Board of Education. He was respected not only as a leader, but as someone who genuinely cared for people and was always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member in need.

Beyond his career, Ralph was a lifelong outdoorsman and conservationist who found joy and peace in nature. He spent decades boating, fishing, duckhunting, canoeing, kayaking, camping, birding, and exploring the waters, beaches, wetlands, and woodlands of Long Island, up through the Adirondacks and down to Florida. He loved sharing those experiences with others and inspired generations of family members, students, and friends to appreciate and respect the natural world. Thus, his love for the outdoors has become a large part of his legacy. He also continued playing basketball recreationally for many years and proudly participated in multiple NY Empire State Senior Games tournaments.

Ralph’s happiest moments were spent in the outdoors with family and the people he was closest to, especially when he was “captain” of whichever one of his fishing boats he had at the time on the Great South Bay on Long Island and, when at his Florida home on Gottfried Creek, taking family and friends on a private pontoon-boat tour along the creek and into the Lemon Bay, pointing out birds and other marine life along the way.

Ralph is survived by his partner, Linda Marlowe; his daughters Terri Stile, Kim Dembek, and Karen Stile; and his stepdaughters Monica (Marlowe) Saleh and Melissa (Marlowe) Albrecht. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Alex and Adam Berryhill; Matthew and Jennifer Dembek; Cody, Madison, Mikayla, and Fiona Saleh; Amaria and Raya Albrecht; as well as his great-grandchild, August (Auggie) Berryhill. He is also survived by his lifelong brother-in-spirit, Bill Schlegel, who he shared a home with for twenty-five years.

Ralph was truly loved by all who knew him. His kindness, wisdom, humor, generosity, and love of nature will continue to live on through the many lives he touched and the family and community he cherished so deeply. His legacy will forever remain in the classrooms he led, the people he mentored, the waterways he explored, and the countless memories created outdoors with those he loved.

In honor of his memory, and in support of his legacy, we kindly ask that, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, friends and family consider donating to the Seatuck Environmental Association, which is respected for its dedication to conserving Long Island wildlife and the environment, engaging community scientists in wildlife research, and - importantly - offering environmental education opportunities for Long Islanders of all ages.

For those who choose to donate to Seatuck, please use the link below and, after designating your contribution, please complete the “In Memory of” option and add Ralph Stile’s name.

As per Ralph’s wishes, there will be a small, private service for extended family and some of his lifelong friends. However, the family would like to invite any person who has been touched by Ralph’s kind and generous spirit to gather on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Flanagan’s Pub, 451 Hawkins Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY between 3pm and 5pm to remember him to each other and his family with stories and laughter.

https://seatuck.org/donate/