Ralph Francis Greco

Ralph Greco was born on February 12, 1936, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Rose Bosco Covelli and Louis Greco. Ralph attended local schools and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

With the purchase of “The Owl Café” on 56th Street and 22nd Avenue next to Gerolmo’s Tavern in 1946, the Greco family brought homemade Italian food to generations of satisfied customers for many years.

Ralph started working at the restaurant as a boy and later became owner and cook working with his brother, Louis Jr. Ralph often told the story that when the restaurant began a dinner of soup, salad, Italian bread, spaghetti, and 2 meatballs cost $0.99. Coffee would put you back another dime.

Ralph was a legend and cherished his life spent in the “The Old Westside/Columbus Park” neighborhood. In the old neighborhood diversity was celebrated and world problems were solved over a beer or a brandy Manhattan at Gerolmo’s Tavern. Ralph was one of the last living story tellers and historians of times gone by in the neighborhood surrounding Columbus Park.

Ralph served his country in the Navy Reserves for 4 years at Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago, IL. For several years Ralph cared for his dear friend, Ellen Schumate visiting her everyday at Brookside Care Center. Ralph was fiercely loyal.

God called Ralph home to Heaven on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, after a long illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Rose and his brother, Louis Jr.

Ralph will be remembered by nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Visitation for Ralph Greco will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Proko Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Holy Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be celebrated by Ralph’s cousin and friend, Father Domenic Roscioli at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Interment in St. James Cemetery will immediately follow.

“Dio chiude una porta e apre un portone.”

“God closes a door, and opens a bigger one.”