Ralph J. Slaw

Ralph J. Slaw, age 93 of Willoughby, OH passed away on December 29, 2023 at the Nason Center of Breckenridge Village in Willoughby. He was born May 31, 1930 in Cleveland, OH. He studied Pharmacy at Western Reserve School of Pharmacy and University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. When the US Army discovered his skill at compounding medications, he served as Pharmacist during the Korean War from 1951-1953 specializing in compounding medications to treat returning soldiers with serious lung infections. He was chief pharmacist at Northeastern Ohio Osteopathic Hospital and Manager of Chapeldale Pharmacy in Madison, Ohio. He retired from Metro Health Clement Center as Coordinator of the Pharmacy. Ralph loved to travel and visited 74 countries. Hobbies included gourmet cooking and Sudoku. He was a past President of the Northeastern Ohio Academy of Pharmacy and served on the Board of Lake County Neighboring. He is survived by his daughter, Amy Ward (Terry) of Painesville, Ohio and grandchildren, Leah Merk (Lizzie) of Cleveland, Ohio, Lindsey Ward of Denver, Colorado and Terry Ward of Wabash, Indiana; Son, David Slaw (Cinda) of Noblesville, Indiana and grandchildren, Sarah Everhart (Travis) and great-grandchildren, Abbygail and Damien of Anderson, Indiana, Jimmy Caldwell (Stephanie) of Lebanon, Indiana and great-grandchildren, Zach, Eden, and Finn of Lebanon, Indiana; Son, Adam Slaw (Greg Ramser) of Winter Garden, Florida; niece, Denise Fraebel (Steve) and nephew, Marc Auville (Tonya) of Arvada, Colorado; and cousins, Ken Scigulinsky of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Doris Fiorentino of Parma, Ohio, and Peggy Arden of Medina, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his partner of 42 years, John Gardener of Willoughby, Ohio; parents, Joseph and Anna Slaw of Lake Marlton, New Jersey; sister, Alice Auville of Medford, New Jersey. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 37932 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094. Please meet at the church. A private urn burial will be in Concord Twp. Cemetery immediately following mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions of any amount may be made to the Holden Forests & Gardens, P.O. Box 74422, Cleveland, OH 44194-0002 or online at holdenfg.org/ Arrangements entrusted to the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Mentor, OH. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Ralph J. Slaw

May 31, 1930 - December 29, 2023