Golden Dawn patrons remembering Ralph Naples

YOUNGSTOWN

The green-and-white-striped wallpaper is a subtle backdrop that makes the neon-lit “Golden Dawn” lights pop.

The lights brighten the dimly-lit restaurant and bar on Logan Avenue that screams Youngstown, from the outside to the inside, with its Youngstown State and Ursuline High School decor.

But even with the lights, there’s a slightly somber atmosphere given the recent loss of the establishment’s owner, Ralph Naples, who died Monday at age 96.

“You ain’t going to find many people like him,” said Johnny Naples, Ralph’s son. “He worked here almost 60 years.”

Ralph worked at the bar until about six months ago. After his death, and even before he had to stop working, customers and admirers of Ralph would talk about the memories of him at the Golden Dawn.

“The man is a legend,” said Mike Rounsley, who has worked at the restaurant about three years.

Read more about this local legend in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.