Ralph J. Durso, 70, who owned and operated a plumbing business in Mount Prospect, died Thursday, April 18, in Northwest Community Healthcare in Arlington Heights after a four-month battle with leukemia. Mr. Durso served in the Army during the Korean War, where he often was called to the front lines. He received two blue-ribbon Medals of Honor and a Medal of Courage, said his daughter, Marietta D. Calas. A longtime resident of Mount Prospect, he worked as a cable splicer for Illinois Bell for about 20 years, until a strike in the early 1970s left him out of a job. He quickly turned to the plumbing business, after a neighbor hired him as his helper. In 1975 Mr. Durso opened his own business, R&S Plumbing Inc. in Mount Prospect. “It was a dream of his to work for himself,” said his son James, who joined the business early on. “He loved his work. He kept such a positive attitude all the time. His favorite saying was, `Smile every chance you get.'” Mr. Durso met his wife of 49 years, Jean, at a church dance. The couple raised four children in Mount Prospect. Mr. Durso also is survived by sons Salvatore and Keith; his mother, Marietta; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at St. Emily’s Catholic Church, 1400 E. Central Rd., Mount Prospect.
