19 July, 2017
Ralph Gates Edwards Sr., 92, passed from this life to the arms of his Heavenly Father on Monday, July 17, 2017 in Dunnellon, FL, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Newton, MA, he was the son of the late Frank J. and Gretchen (Gates) Edwards. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Ann Patricia Edwards to whom he was married for 59 years and his sister Norma (Edwards) Manning. Ralph was a Veteran of World War II.
Ralph retired from his job as the branch manager for Uxbridge Savings Bank (UniBank) after many years. Often times he would stop at the Goodness store in Whitinsville to catch up on local gossip. He spent many wonderful years as a snowbird in Florida after his retirement. He took much pleasure singing to his friends and family and organizing a choir group while a member of the Hopkinton Senior Center. He also enjoyed dancing away to the orchestras he would arrange for entertainment. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and co-worker. His love of life and his humor were infectious.
He leaves his sons Robert Edwards of Longmeadow and Ralph Jr. and his wife Elizabeth (Nealon) of Hopkinton, his daughters Patricia Ann Daly and her husband Frederick Daly of Dunnellon, FL, Mary Noonan and her husband Michael of Clearwater, FL, Marcia Mackin and her husband David of Upton, MA and Nancy Begnoche and her husband Keith of Enfield, CT. He also leaves his nieces and nephews Gretchen Lohnes and her husband Richard of Nova Scotia, Carl MacClellan and his wife Doris of Nova Scotia, Canada, Janet Lee MacClellan of British Columbia, Gail Garrison and her husband Mark of Londonderry, NH, Lee Cadieux and her husband Rollee of Rochester, NH, Michael Daly and his wife Becky of Lutz, Fl and Colleen Daly of Dunnellon, FL. In addition, he leaves his loving grandchildren, Melissa Palermo and her husband Al of Bellingham, MA; Jennifer Direnzo and her husband Chet of Northbridge, MA; Peter Edwards and his wife Christine of Hopkinton, MA.; Stephen Edwards of Hopkinton MA., Christine Lucier of Upton, MA.; Lianne Mackin and Mark McNaughton of Upton, MA., Bryan Mackin of Raleigh, NC., Jessica Macsata and her husband Michael of Enfield, CT and Adam Begnoche and his wife Jessica of Kernersville, NC. He also leaves 14 great grandchildren he loved dearly and his dear friend and dancing partner Ellie Schneeloch of Holliston, MA.
CALLING HOURS
Tuesday July 25, 2017, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Callanan Cronin Funeral Home
EUCHARISTIC SERVICE
Wednesday July 26, 2017, 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home starting at 10:00 a.m. for procession to church.
BURIAL WITH MILITARY HONORS
Wednesday July 26, 2017 at Mount Auburn Cemetery
