Ralph E. Panaro

On January 10, 2020 of Newport.  Age 74.  Devoted father of Joanne Thomas (John) and Tina Panaro (Bret) of Deptford.  Loving grandfather of Marcus, Christian, Alaynah, Bryce, Ashlynn and Brynn.  Dear brother of Carol Weatherby (Wayne) and Betsy Demsey (Dave).  Also survived by a spiritual son, Jason (Tahila) Corwin of Salamanca, NY, and many Sundance brothers and sisters especially Urie (Cory) Ridgeway of Bridgeton, NJ, as well as his nieces and nephew. 

Ralph “Turtle” Panaro had a deep love for anything outdoors. He spent countless hours in the woods tracking and studying the natural world. He also had a great passion for teaching others from his treasure trove of wilderness survival knowledge and was well known as a traditional bow-maker.

Ralph took great pride in his Seneca heritage and was a tireless advocate for Native American culture and rights. He was a Sundancer at Tayac Territory for 16 years and did anything and everything he could to help Native people near and far.

Ralph enjoyed every moment spent with his two daughters and six grandchildren whom he loved more than anything. He easily made friends wherever he went and was highly respected in all the circles he traveled. There was never a place he didn’t know someone. Ralph was a veteran of the US Navy with many friends in the military, martial arts, and outdoor education communities. He will be greatly loved and deeply missed by all who knew him.

Family and friends are invited to attend his visitation Saturday 10:00-11:30 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, P.O. Box,
Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352

“A Life Well Lived

Is Worth Remembering”