Ralph James Harvey

The Beautiful Life of Ralph James Harvey

Ralph was born February 24, 1935 to parents Miriam and Monroe Harvey in  Coney Island, New York and was raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn where he spent most of his younger years with his brothers Clifford and Clinton and sisters Dorothy and Frances (Nasheed). 

He grew up with a hard-working father that always had two jobs. This set the tone for the hard worker that he would become. Growing up, he did everything from shining shoes for 15 cents a shine, to delivering groceries. He then attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Brooklyn NY.

Ralph worked in construction most of his adult life. He joined the Excavators Local Union 731 at the age of 20 and was a member for over 30 years. Among the places he worked, were  the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, and the Jamaica, Queens subway line. 

He retired at the young age of 57.

Earlier in life, Ralph had a passion for  singing. He sang at local jazz nightclubs where he was known as “Guy Harvey”.

Another one of Ralph’s passions was tennis. He coached and played on teams in Brooklyn for many years and passed on his love for tennis to his grandson, AJ.

Ralph was a loving husband to Barbara Harvey for 54 years and to his children; Ralph Harvey, James Carter and daughter, Nicole Duvernay as well as his Son-in-love Anthony Duvernay.

Ralph was larger than life. He was a man who loved connecting with people and had a special gift of making people laugh wherever he went. No one was a stranger to him and he always had a smile and a joke to share. Dad would crack us up! 

He took great pride in his home and garden, and was known to say “Get the hell off my grass!” One year, he planted three trees and named them after his grandchildren.  Ralph also loved birds and as a youngster in Brooklyn, he raised pigeons on the roof. 

Ralph genuinely cared about people, especially the underdog. He never judged and always helped where there was a need. 

He was an affectionate man who told us he loved us every day.

He lived a good life and did it his way!

He is survived by his wife of 54 years,  Barbara Harvey, sons Ralph Harvey, James Carter, daughter Nicole Duvernay and son-in-love, Anthony Duvernay I, grandchildren Anthony Duvernay II, Nicholas Duvernay, Jahna Duvernay, Dashae Carter, Dejanee Carter, brother Clifford Harvey and sister-in-law Sarah Harvey, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

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