Tuesday May 29th, RALPH SANTOLLA – former guitarist of Death, Iced Earth, Deicide, Obituary etc. – suffered a heart attack and since then he was in a coma at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida, surrounded day and night by his family and closest friends. Late last night (Wednesday June 6th) Ralph was taken off assisted living.
Early this morning, Bill Hudson, one of Ralph’s closest friends, posted via his Facebook page the following message:
“I (and many others) just lost my best friend, as well as one of the most underrated guitarists in all history. He passed away peacefully surrounded by about 10 of his closest friends and family (myself included). Please keep his mother Sue Santolla-Rocha, his son Dorian Angelo Santolla and all the rest of us in your thoughts…
Rest In Peace, my brother Ralph… You will be missed by A LOT of people…
I love you bro”
Sue Santolla-Rocha, Ralph’s mother revealed some days ago, that “Ralph is an organ donor so he will live on. Those recipients don’t know what they are getting until they suddenly become sarcastic, funny, get tattoos, start playing guitar. One other thing, Devil’s Highway was getting close to completion. It will be done and that is Ralph’s legacy.“
Now you’re free and at peace, Ralph! … R.I.P., you will be greatly missed!
Our condolences to Ralph’s family and his closest friends!