Ralph D'Errico IV would have turned seven today.
Throughout Durham and Middlefield the little boy affectionately known as "Ralphie" is being remembered as hundreds of balloons pop up in his memory on mailboxes on his birthday.
Ralphie, who grew up on Haddam Quarter Road the son of Ralph and Sharri D'Errico and younger brother to Marceline Ann D'Errico and Emily Catherine Callahan, died in September at the age of six after a brief bout with leukemia.
In a recent Letter to the Editor in the Town Times, Sharri D'Errico reflected on her son's life and asked residents to celebrate his birthday, July 23, by wearing blue shirts or decorating their mailboxes with blue balloons.
Haddam Quarter Road was lined with the balloons early Tuesday morning.
"He's a beautiful boy and they're a beautiful family and we just want to show our support," said Durham resident Alicia Mancarella who stopped by Durham Pharmacy with her daughter to pick up balloons.
The store was busy all morning as orders came in from residents, Town Hall, the Durham Volunteer Fire Company and local businesses.
"I am so touched," said store owner Carol Douglas. "The community has just, I'm touched. I don't know what else to say."
"It's just amazing."
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