Ralph Anthony Mika

Ralph Anthony Mika, 94, of Lower Allen Twp., New Cumberland, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family, Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Born June 10, 1926 and raised in Perth Amboy, NJ, Ralph graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1944. He proudly served his country during WWII in the United States Army from 1944 – 1946. He attended the School of Modern Photography in New York City from 1948-1950. Ralph managed the Mika Studio and Camera Shop, Inc., located in Perth Amboy and Brick, NJ, specializing in portrait and wedding photography. He raised his family in Fords, NJ where he lived for 46 years and served in the Lions Club for over 20 years. Ralph retired to New Cumberland where he continued to serve in the Lions Club and was a parishioner at Saint Theresa Parish for 29 years. He enjoyed reading biographies and was fascinated by the NASA Space Program and aviation. Ralph had a keen creative instinct that he channeled through projects with his children and grandchildren involving photography, stained glass craftsmanship, model airplane construction and papercrafts.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Nikodem A. and Elizabeth C. (Stolarik) Mika and by his brothers Theodore J. Mika, and Gilbert Mika, Sr.

Surviving are his devoted wife of 69 years, Bertha Margaret (Nagy) Mika, son, Mark A. Mika of Chantilly, VA; two daughters and their husbands, Marissa J. and Timothy Shollenberger of Enola and Melanie R. and Scott A. Mason of Williamsburg, VA; four grandchildren Ryan Shollenberger of Brooklyn, NY; Jessica Shollenberger of Philadelphia; Kayla Mason of Bakersfield, CA; and Nicholas Mason of Williamsburg, VA; a sister, Claire Nagy and husband, Joseph of Fanwood, NJ; uncle, Emile Mika of San Antonio, TX; sister-in-law Sonya Mika of Brick, NJ as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 2, 11:00am at Saint Theresa Parish, New Cumberland, with the Rev. Kyle Sahd as Celebrant. Burial with military honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested for Saint Theresa Parish, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070. For more information or to send messages of condolence to the family, please visit www.parthemore.com.