Ralph McNelis

RALPH LOUIS MCNELIS, of Manassas, Virginia, died Saturday, August 2, 2008 in his home surrounded by Family & Friends. Ralph, aka 'Sonny', was born in Washington, D.C. on November 20, 1947. During his formative years, Sonny enjoyed catching Rockfish on the Chesapeake Bay and exploring the Appalachian Trail as an Eagle Scout. Soon after graduating from Randolph Macon Academy, Sonny volunteered to defend his country in the United States Navy, serving 3 Tours of Duty on the USS St. Paul during the Vietnam War. After departing from the Navy, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business from The University of Maryland. In 1976, Sonny and Patricia 'Trish' Waskom eloped in Williamsburg, VA. For the remainder of his life, Sonny and Trish were committed to raising their three children and one grandchild. In the early 1990's, Ralph became a Senior Loan Officer and began his mission: To help people purchase affordable homes and make sound financial decisions. Sonny was involved with his Clients and Friends until the day he died. He will be dearly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Jean Eleanor Strohecker McNelis. He is survived by his Loving wife, Patricia Eileen McNelis; three children, James Michael McNelis, Daniel Patrick McNelis, Michelle Eileen McNelis, and one granddaughter, Kerry Eileen McNelis, all of Manassas, Virginia; his father, James Ralph McNelis of Solomons, Maryland; three sisters, Lee Ann Woodcock, of Springfield, Virginia, Judy Louise Szynborski and Christine Marie McNelis both of Solomons, Maryland; and his mother-in-law, Josephine Waskom, of Manassas, Virginia. The family will receive Friends from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. A prayer service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas. Interment will follow at Washington National Cemetery, Suitland, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com. Sonny the Fisherman Sonny Thought Every Day Was a New Day to Catch The Big One. No particular fishing spot is required, and actually no particular type of fish have to swim at the spot chosen for that day. It's Not About the amount of Fish, Just About the Art and The Possibilities. Pole. Reel. Enough Line for the Cast. Worms or Jig or Bucktail or Plug?Any Sort of Hook for the Event. Hat, Smokes and a Selection of Beers and Colorful Sodas. Maybe a Sandwich and Even Some Fig Newtons. Size up the Water and The Shoreline, Disregard the Weather. Consider the Possibilities and Eye the First Cast Location. Think Positive and Cast the First Cast. Nothing. Nothing Still. Crack Open a Beer at 8AM. Nibble. Hold Your Mouth Right, Nibble. Hit. Nothing. Wish It So, Cuss a Little, Watch The Water. Hit! Hit! Hit! Set The Hook, Keep Tension on The Line. Imagine What Type of Fish Took Your Bait. Guess?Based Upon How the Fish took the Bait. Stay Focused on The Art and The Possibilities. See The First Glimpse of the Fish and Focus on the Arrival. Scoop or Pull to Shore. It's a Big One, Sonny Says. Every Day is a New Day to Catch The Big One. The Surging Stock. The Big Payoff at the Craps Table. The Jumbo Loan. The Biggest Rockfish. The Biggest Punch Line. Every Day Will Be a Great Day to Catch the Big One. Happy Fishing, Sonny.

Ralph McNelis

November 20, 1947 - August 2, 2008