Ralph Maldonado died Aug. 1, 2018, at his home in Macungie. He was married to Gloria Lopez until her death in 2017. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y..

As a young man he briefly played minor league baseball in Puerto Rico, then left to serve his country during the Korean War.

His wife was his dance partner in their youth and business partner later in life. Together they raised a family and put their two sons through college.

After a successful career in the shipping industry, he opened his own business as an international freight forwarder, growing it into one of the most successful forwarding companies at that time, and earning such accolades as Honorary Harbor Master of New Orleans. After 15 successful years, he sold the company and retired comfortably at the age of 55. They left New York and settled in the Lehigh Valley, where he enjoyed swimming, golfing, entertaining and leisure travel with his wife.

He is survived by two devoted sons, Ralph and Paul Michael.

Services are private and arrangements were made by the Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Allentown.