Soccer enthusiast, advocate, coach, mentor and dear friend Ralph Serrette passed away September 4th, 2024 in Missoula MT.
Ralph Alanzo Serrette was born in Trinidad, the southernmost island country in the Caribbean on February 5th of 1947 to Joseph and Clotilde Serrette. Ralph was the youngest of eight children: Horace, Irma, Desmond, Michael, and the triplets, Junior, Joyce and Joycelyn. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Horace, Irma, Desmond and Joycelyn. Left to mourn are relatives of the Serrette, Holder, Joseph, Thornhill, Corbin, Carter, Williams, Testman, Maughn and Thony families.
At the urging of his minister, Ralph’s mother allowed him to come to the United States at the age of 13 to attend a Christian private high school in New Jersey. After graduating from high school Ralph joined the Army where he served three years, gaining his citizenship which he treasured.
After his service, Ralph joined an Army buddy in Missoula where he attended the University of Montana and earned a bachelor degree in Botany. It was there that Ralph further developed his love for soccer with the men’s soccer team, boasting wins over Pacific Lutheran and Gonzaga University and winning the Northwest Intercollegiate Soccer League in 1972.
In terms of his career, Ralph was a bit of a Renaissance man. He worked for the Forest Service in Alaska, sold insurance, ran a soccer store, sold fireworks, and substitute taught school, but his primary love and interest was in coaching soccer. Ralph was also a highly respected and skilled soccer referee and blessed the entire state with his skills.
Enough cannot be said of Ralph and his total dedication to soccer and those who wished to play it. He had a talent for recognizing talent and would never cut a player, explaining ‘the player you cut today could be your champion tomorrow.’ Ralph loved his athletes and they loved him, affectionately referring to him as their ‘Trinidaddy’.
He founded the Sabres Soccer Club, an organization dedicated to the development of young soccer players during the spring months in the Bitterroot Valley and he served as the Stevensville High School varsity soccer coach for over 30 years. He donated countless hours and sometimes his own funds to the maintenance of the famous Stevensville Soccer complex, known for having the best grass in the state.
Ralph will be missed tremendously by all who were blessed to know him.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 15th at 6:00 pm at the Stevensville Soccer Fields. All who knew and loved Ralph are invited to attend.