Ronald E. Ralph, passed Nov. 24 at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine. He was 91.
Ron was born, raised and educated in Waldoboro, Maine. He married his high school sweetheart, Claire Muzroll Ralph. They were married for 71 years until her passing in February 2019. Ron was a two-sport star in baseball and basketball, lettering for four years. He had a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Ron was born Oct. 23, 1929, to Harold C. Ralph Sr. And Maude Burns Ralph.
Ron and his sister, Helen Ralph Eugley, owned Ralph Chevrolet for over 40 years.
As an avid harness racing fan and owner, Ron was the president of Lewiston Raceway for over 20 years and the Director of the New England branch of the United States Trotting Association (USTA) for over 50 years. He was voted to the New England Horsemen Hall of Fame in 2011, and was named “Man of the Year” by that organization in 2011. He owned many good race horses, but the highlight of this harness racing career was a horse named Indianapolis, who won 63 races and earned a mark of 1:55.1.
He was one of the founding members of the Waldoboro Little League and coached the Panthers for 10 years, winning six titles (he always said that the secret to his winning was to always have good catchers). He coached Waldoboro Babe Ruth with his good friend Dennis Graffam for three years, winning the state championship the last year of their coaching together.
Ron was also the oldest living member of the Waldoboro Lions Club and was a member of King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge.
Ron and Claire had a passion for travelling, visiting 48 states and Europe and cruising through the Panama Canal. In the winter, they enjoyed their condominium and their many friends in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Ronald is predeceased by his parents, Harold and Maude Ralph, his sister Helen Eugley, and by the love of his life, Claire Ralph. Ron’s brother, Harold C. Ralph, Jr., passed away three days after Ron’s passing.
He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Conway Collamore; and his son, R. Stephen Ralph; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Greta Crabtree.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday (Dec. 3) at the Orff’s Corner Cemetery, Route 32, in Waldoboro, Maine.. Rev. Robert Dorr will officiate.
Contributions in Ron’s memory may be made to the Standardbred Transition Alliance through the U.S. Trotting Association at 6130 S. Sunbury Road, Westerville, OH 43081. (Please make cheques payable to: Standardbred Transition Alliance).
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral and Cremation Services, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro, Maine. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Ronald Ralph.
(USTA)