Obituary of Ralph Paganetti

Ralph Paganetti, a retired Aerospace Engineer, who worked on the Apollo spacecraft and Hubble Telescope, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 9, 2015. He was 80 years old. Ralph was born in New Britain, CT, the son of Italian immigrants, the late Albert and Josephine Paganetti. He enjoyed growing up in New Britain, CT, playing sports, hanging out at the Boys Club, and enjoying the time he shared with his many good friends. In High School, he was an honor student, captain of the New Britain High School football team, and most importantly started courting Jackie Stack, who eventually became his wife of 57 years. His academic and athletic achievements gave him the opportunity to attend the Coast Guard Academy, where he played football for 3 seasons. He finished his Bachelor of Science Degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. While working at Hughes Aircraft, he was granted a Hughes fellowship and, earned his Master’s Degree in Engineering from University of Southern California. He moved to Burlington, Massachusetts where he raised his family. He had worked for RCA, AVCO, American Science and Engineering, and retired from Smithsonian Astrophysical Labs in Cambridge. He had a keen mind and had the opportunity to work on the Apollo space program specifically the engineering of how to get the LEM Landing Craft back to the Apollo. He also worked on the Hubble Telescope. He was well respected by his peers and was proud to help get a “Man to the Moon.” Sports were a very big part of Ralph’s life and he wanted to share that passion with his children. Although he played football in high school and college, he really spent much of his time with his children as their basketball coach. He coached his children in basketball from an early age through 8th grade in various recreation leagues and YMCA programs. He loved coaching, teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game, the importance of teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Off the basketball court, he was always there supporting his children in their academics, and other sports including, baseball, football and track. He was extremely proud that two of his sons were inducted into Burlington High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. As a grandfather, he loved watching his grandchildren play sports. Ralph was an avid fan of the UCONN Huskie’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs. One of his favorite sayings around any family gathering was “This is a Good Party” His loved ones would like him to know “It was a Good Party” and he will be dearly missed. Ralph was the beloved husband of 57 years of Jacqueline “Jackie” (Stack). Loving father of Thomas Paganetti & wife Jeanne of Bedford, Kathleen Davey of Westwood & late husband Peter Davey, John Paganetti of Westford & Kristine Uttley of North Andover, and Robert Paganetti & wife Susan of Scituate. Brother of the late Lucille McKean of Waterford, CT and Etere Paganetti of New Britain, CT. Proud grandfather of TJ, Ryan, Justin, Drew, Nicholas, & Jack Paganetti, Sean Davey & wife Ashley, Meghan and Colin Davey, and Matthew & Shane Uttley. Great grandfather of Shane, Ethan, Callieanna, & Bryson Davey. Brother in law to Patricia (Stack) & husband Jim Carleton, as well as Uncle to many nieces and nephews in Connecticut and New York. Funeral services were private. Memorials in Ralph’s name may be made to The Boys & Girls Club of New Britain, 150 Washington St., New Britain, CT 06051 or Hoops for Hope, P.O. Box 375, Andover, MA 01810. Arrangements by the Sullivan Funeral Home, BURLINGTON.