Ralph Louis Esposito
In the early morning of December 8, 2024 while surrounded by close family, Ralph passed away at home in Helena, MT shortly after being diagnosed with advanced stage pancreatic cancer. Ralph was 73 years old.
Ralph was born in Milford, Connecticut on April 15, 1951. He was the second child and first son of Louis John Esposito and Gloria Maxine Scott.
In his early years, Ralph spent his summers in Connecticut with his Dad and sister where he would go water skiing, camping, and spend a lot of time out on the lake. He would spend the rest of the year in Tennessee with his mother where he did track and field and specialized in the hurdles. After graduating high school at Amity in Orange CT, Ralph obtained a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Connecticut where he graduated in 1973. He then went on to obtain a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1977. Shortly after graduating, he made his way to Helena Montana where he worked as a college art professor at Carroll College starting in 1978. He spent just over 40 years building the arts program as one of the only mainstay professors of the art department at the liberal arts college. During that time, he taught pottery, sculpting, drawing and painting. He also hosted countless student art shows, and took two sabbaticals to Greece and China. After his retirement in 2019, he continued to teach online art history for the college until shortly before his death. In addition to teaching, he was greatly involved in community art programs such as the Archie Bray Foundation, Grandstreet Theater, and the Myrna Loy Center. After his semi-retirement, Ralph enjoyed other hobbies such as Tai chi, pickle ball, exercise classes at the YMCA, and traveling with friends and family whenever he could.
During his time in Helena, Ralph married Deborah Joyce in 1990. They had three daughters Paige, Leah, and Emma and the family lived on Hanging Tree Gulch in Clancy Montana from 1992-2013. Ralph and Debbie divorced in 2013, but remained on good terms. His daughters fondly remember him riding his Harley motorcycle, taking them to the college to draw or play with clay, taking hours of home videos, and goofing around whenever he could. They all feel he taught them to appreciate all things weird and beautiful in life, and are not quite sure how their lives will look without him in it. He instilled a love of art in many people in his life, whether it was sculpting clay with his daughters, playing the drums for a Grandstreet production, or painting and drawing countless requested works of art for friends and family.
Ralph was preceded in death by his mother Gloria Maxine Jones, his father Louis John Esposito, and his step father Richard Jones. Ralph is survived by his sister Renee King, his half-sister Cindy Marchbanks, his step mother Connie Esposito, his three daughters Paige Woods (Esposito), Leah McCall (Esposito), and Emma Esposito and his two grandsons Finley and Wesley Woods.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to any local community arts programs (Archie Bray, Myrna Loy center, Holter museum, or Grandstreet theatre for example). Ralph asked that a funeral not be held, but a celebration of life, which will take place at the Myrna Loy on 2/15 from 2-6 PM.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Butch Biskupiak says
I worked with Ralph for many years at Carroll College and he was an amazing artist.
Bonni Sprague says
My thoughts and prayers are with the girls and the rest of the family. We will miss you. I know you are no longer in pain and are with dad. Until we meet again.
Gino Dunfee says
Played pickleball with Ralph at the Y. He was always kind and fun. My condolences to his family.
Carol Culham says
My prayers to the family. Ralph was a good man to all.
Cathy says
Such a hard loss to us all. We met Ralph when he started playing pickleball a few years ago and he also joined in some AARP functions, classes at the Y and also some get-togethers after pickleball. We really enjoyed his company and only knew him a few years – but they were quality time and we have a special place in our hearts for our friend, Ralph. We’ll see you again one day, Ralph, and maybe then I can win the square dance argument instead of YOU! Our most sincere condolences to Ralph’s family – he was a special guy!
V&C
John Joyce says
Ralph was my art professor at Carroll College years ago. At the time I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life so I was taking the general course of study and trying out fun electives. I took a drawing class from Ralph and enjoyed it so much that that I later took his painting class and finally his pottery class. Art was all I wanted to do at that point but didn’t see it as a career path. Ralph, however, recognized my talent and really encouraged me to pursue it. He even reached out to Montana State to inquire about transfer logistics and wrote me a letter of recommendation. I needed a nudge in the right direction and Ralph was one of few people who provided that support and encouragement. I now have my own ceramic practice and work in a gallery. And I don’t believe I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for him. Aside from being a good friend, he was very skilled technically. I was always blown away how good he was, no matter the medium. He was a great artist who will be missed, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Janet Zimmerman says
Condolences to his family… they meant everything to him. Gone too soon. Eight years was not enough, you leave a big hole in my heart. You were the best.
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
My prayers and thoughts are with the Esposito family. I worked with Ralph at Carroll College. He will be greatly missed.
Beth Carrell says
Ralph taught me how to paint and I still practice all of the technical skills that he taught me. He is an incredibly special man. I’m sorry for your loss.
Marilyn Wolff says
My sincere condolences to Ralph’s family. He was so proud of his daughters and two young grandsons. His talent as an artist and teacher were incredible. Ralph’s loss is felt by all who knew him, including me.
Gina says
Ralph was a wonderful, funny friend to all of us who play pickleball and work out at the Y. His “pickle” dance will always bring a smile to me. I feel privileged to have known him. He will be missed by so many.
Gene and Pat Franks says
We fondly remember Ralph’s wonderful sense of humor! He was an extremely talented person. His rare talent and teaching ability was extraordinary! He always told us what his daughter’s were accomplishing. He was so proud of them and loved them dearly. Our deepest sympathy to all Ralph’s loved ones!
Dennis says
Having had the privilege of knowing Ralph for 40 years, his sudden departure is a huge shock. Most recently I helped him with his knee replacement, not aware of how little time he had to spend. Condolences to his family over their tragic loss.
Ted Polette says
Dear Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart goes out to you at his most difficult time. I always enjoyed visiting with Ralph at parent/teacher conferences because I had nothing but good things to say about his amazing daughters! 🙂 We were neighbors and I would stop and talk with him often times when he was out for his daily walks. He was so proud of his daughters and loved them so much. He always gave me the updates as to what they were up to! He will be dearly missed.
Where there is sorrow, love plants a garden of memories and may Ralph’s garden bloom vibrantly forever.
Love and prayers to all of you,
Ted Polette
Allison Pettir says
I took care of the three girls at Petes Place as well as at their home. My favorite memory of Ralph is when Leah forgot her pink blanket at “school” and Ralph, knowing she wouldn’t survive the night without it, rode his Harley from Clacy to Helena to get it. The vision of him riding his motorcycle on the highway with a pink blanket flying behind has made me giggle for years!
He really would do anything for his girls! I’m so sorry for your loss.
Allis9n Pettit
Brittany Hogan says
To Ralph’s loved ones,
I met Ralph during my freshman year at Carroll College and I spent countless hours watercolor and acrylic painting in his studio on campus. He told our class once that Art was never complete or finished, and artists can always change or improve their pieces. It sounds so simple, but I’ve held onto what he said since 2003. For me, my human experience in life is the same way. Rest in peace, you will be missed.
Jim Bartruff says
I have been struggling for almost a month to find the right words to say about my “other brother” Ralph. We both started our college teaching careers in 1978 at Carroll College. We started out as colleagues, became friends and shared many happy times together. We also shared a middle name, “Louis.” Outside of classes and rehearsals and studios, we spent time together on the racquetball court, at our homes, in our travels. After Lindy and I left Montana, we stayed in touch with Ralph and although we didn’t see one another as often, whenever we were in the same place, we spent precious time together. We both retired from teaching about the same time and somehow I always thought, we’d have many more great times together. Sadly his illness and passing took that away. As much as I grieve his loss, I know his family feels it even more strongly. He was a great father and always bragged about his kids whenever we were together. His students knew him as the generous, hard-working and talented artist-teacher that he was. The world is a better place for his being in it. His legacy lives in his countless students. friends and especially his girls. Miss you buddy, thanks for being my friend.
Chris Synness says
I took an acrylics class from him at CC, Introducing me to the world of painting that I expanded my horizons,, and it was fun and he gave me and A!! And remember him being a nice guy and kind of a character!
Rick Perko says
I remember Ralph as a really talented, dedicated instructor at Carroll and I really enjoyed his drawing class. He sold me some of his pottery when I left Helena in the mid-1980s and I still have it in my house. He was one of those amazing people who made Carroll College such a special place.