Ralph and Lorraine Salamone: A Force For Good In The Village

“Life is a moving, breathing thing. We have to be willing to constantly evolve. Perfection is constant transformation.”

— Nia Peeples

I’m not sure, but I think Mr. and Mrs. Claus might be living in Bay Point.

They fit the MO. His eyes, how they twinkled! — check. His dimples, how merry! — check. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry — check, check!

So, I may have uncovered the offseason whereabouts of one of the world’s kindest, merriest and friendliest couples, right here under our noses.

By day, I’m sure you have seen them in the photo shop Chelsea Crossing, which they owned and operated in downtown Sag Harbor for 15 years. Or perhaps you caught a glimpse of them making their lists and checking them twice in Sag Harbor Elementary School and Pierson Middle High School. Rarely has a couple fallen into the hearts of the school family so completely through their kindness, compassion and love.

“When we walk down Main Street, so many teenagers get ahold of Ralph and hug him,” Lorraine quipped. “It is such a satisfying feeling.”

Ralph and Lorraine Salamone met on a double date while in college in Rhode Island nearly 60 years ago, and they have been best friends ever since.

Ralph was a U.S. Coast Guard reservist for eight years and also earned three college degrees, in computer science and economics, and a master’s degree in finance. Following his careers in banking, computers, business and finance, he and Lorraine had relocated to Washington, D.C., Chicago, and then settled for nearly 30 years in Holtsville. There, they raised their three children, Dawn, Ralph and Robin.

Among his many professional accomplishments, Ralph worked for UNIVAC on the computer messaging systems for NASA for both the Gemini and Apollo missions. His work required that he travel extensively throughout the world.

After many years, he began to grow weary and longed for more time with Lorraine and his children: “I was missing out on being with my family as my children were growing up.”

After a trip out to Montauk, Lorraine and Ralph happened to drive through Sag Harbor and fell in love with the village. They decided that this would be the perfect place to open a photography studio.

Lorraine mused, “I often wonder why God put us here? I know why — because this is where we were meant to be.”

Once digital photography entered the picture, it was time to close the photo shop. Shortly after the store closed, Lorraine came home to find Ralph on the couch watching a cowboy movie in the middle of the day. “I said to him, you’re not going to be doing this the rest of your life! You have three degrees. Go put your resume in at the school.”

Ralph responded, “They won’t hire me — I don’t have a teaching degree. But I brought my resume down, and the superintendent called me within three days to be a substitute, and I have worked there almost every day since 2008.”

In 2017, Ralph was assigned to be a one-on-one assistant and needed to be certified. “I had the number of days required, and then I had to go to take the state test. I was the only one there with white hair!” At age 74, Ralph became a full-time teaching assistant.

After a career in nursing and raising their three children, Lorraine, too, applied to the school district and has been a monitor at the elementary school for the past 11 years. It was her smile and gentleness that often greeted you at the school’s front door.

“I love being with the children and the faculty,” she said. “I have made lifelong friends there. The kids are so fascinating — I love talking to them. They’re so honest. They teach us how to have fun and how to laugh. I still get notes from some of them.”

Both Lorraine and Ralph recognized that the pandemic created many challenges at the school this past year. Through those challenges, they both overwhelmingly acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the administration, teachers, staff and most especially the custodians of the Sag Harbor School District who worked tirelessly to keep the schools open.

“The teachers worked hard to keep the educational programs going,” Ralph said. “The custodians did a fantastic job. They would come in at 4 in the morning in their HAZMAT suits to sanitize the classrooms. The physical education teachers had to be outside throughout each day for mask breaks and PE classes. The administration did a great job keeping the schools open for all but a week.”

With Ralph’s extensive and varied background, he was able to create special lessons and slide shows for the elementary classes. “I presented mini-seminars about the history of our country, the westward expansion and the space program,” he said. “It was a whole new and different thing for me. I took a personal interest in the kids — I was fortunate to have three careers to draw from. I felt that I could give them a piece of life.”

Ralph has had the opportunity to be Santa’s stunt double for Sag Harbor Elementary School’s Morning Program, bringing to life his true kind and generous nature.

He has been very active in the Chamber of Commerce and worked with others in bringing back Harborfest. Ralph is also active in the American Legion, and both he and Lorraine are Eucharistic ministers at Saint Andrew’s Church.

They have made many friends in Sag Harbor and enjoy spending time entertaining and having dinner on the beach. “It’s breathtaking. It’s just been a miracle that we’ve been able to live here,” Lorraine said. “Each time we drive over the bridge we are amazed at just how beautiful it is. When you live in a place like this, with personal relationships with people, every day is a fun day.”

Having sold their home in Bay Haven, Lorraine and Ralph moved to Bay Point, where they enjoy watching the sunsets, hummingbirds, osprey, cranes, bucks, butterflies and even an eagle from their deck.

Recently, Lorraine and Ralph have decided to retire and begin the next chapter of their lives in Florida, near their daughter Robin and her family. “We adore spending time with our grandkids,” Lorraine mused.

Amazing how one cowboy movie catapulted them both into the lives of our youth and became the impetus for a third illustrious career! They have both been such a force for good in our village.

Though quite far from the North Pole, the Salamones will be happy to welcome their family and friends to their new home in the sun. It is with great certainty that their smiles and kindness will surely be missed in this beautiful place that they have learned to call HOME.