Ralph Carlton

Born on August 30, 1932, Ralph was a lifelong Marbleheader, despite (to his dismay) being born in Salem as Mary Alley Hospital was closed due to repairs at the time of his birth. Son of Gertrude M. Peach and Everett E. Carlton, he was the surviving brother of Barbara (Stan Waitt), George "Buzzy," and Everett (Loretta). Ralph leaves his wife of 44 years, Kipp (Sturdy); his children, Peter (Megan), Susan (Hugh Huleatt), Heidi Herlihy (Todd Barbera), Holly (John Trautman), Hadley (the late Douglas MacLean); his grandchildren, Alexandra and Hadley Carlton, Alexandra (Matt Shepley) and Madeline Huleatt, Katie and Will Herlihy, Elise and Cate Trautman, and Grace, Graham, James, and Phinneas MacLean.

Ralph was a Navy veteran, an avid sailor, a community leader and mentor, a skilled accountant and

businessman, and most importantly a proud father and grandfather and a great friend to all. He loved

recounting his adventures growing up in Marblehead, including selling flounder door-to-door, shipping

muskrat pelts he trapped in Steer Swamp to Chicago to earn money for his first bike, and incurring a serious leg injury at 13 when he was accidentally shot with a cannonball fired by the Marblehead Fire Department during a town V-J Day celebration.

At Marblehead High School (MHS), he was a standout member of the football team, playing both offensive and defensive positions. His love of football endured throughout his life, and he never missed a MHS game when he was in town. Based on his football prowess in high school, Ralph was a proud inductee into the Marblehead Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Following his MHS graduation, he served in the United States Navy in the Mediterranean during the Korean Conflict. After serving his country, Ralph continued working in the family business, Marblehead Laundry, while attending Bentley College at night to acquire his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He married his first wife, Nancy Ryder, and started his accounting practice in the basement of their home. Due to his strong work ethic and great reputation, his practice thrived and became what is now known as Carlton, Healy & Frederick.

Ralph loved the ocean and was a fierce sailing competitor, beginning his racing career in one design classes including Tempests, Lightnings, and his Shields which he raced with family and friends. He was a member of the Boston Yacht Club for more than 40 years and skippered his boat Corsair on Wednesday evenings, routinely treating his crew to burgers and beers after each race. Highlights of his sailing career, beyond the many first-place finishes and trophies, include ocean racing in the Newport to Bermuda Race, participating in the 150 th Anniversary of the America’s Cup race around the Isle of Wight, and sailing on Valiant in 12 Metre races in the Mediterranean as well as up and down the East Coast. In 1977, Ralph captained his first race from Marblehead to Halifax on Irish Mist and at 82 years young he completed his last race to Halifax on Valiant.

Ralph was very proud to have served on the National Grand Bank’s Board of Directors for 35 years. He was also a former Marblehead Elk’s Club Exalted Ruler and established the Marblehead Boating Center to make sailing more accessible to all.

Ralph’s favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. Recognizing the absence of flares on town property from

Crocker Park to the Landing during the famed Marblehead illumination, Ralph founded the Front Street

Fusiliers in the late nineties. He enticed friends and family with food, beverage, and fun in exchange for help mounting and lighting hundreds of flares each year to help make the illumination more spectacular. Ralph loved this holiday so much that in 1997 when the Constitution sailed to Marblehead, he painted the entire side of his house on Front Street with the American flag, which made national news.

Beginning in 1979, Ralph and Kipp sailed in the British Virgin Islands every winter. In 2000, they fulfilled

their lifelong dream of owning a boat in the BVIs when they purchased Longevity. After retirement,

Longevity became their winter home in Nanny Cay, Tortola. Ralph loved nothing more than hosting his

children, grandchildren, and myriad friends aboard Longevity, as well as making new friends from around the globe.

Ralph was a giver and a teacher, who loved sharing his knowledge. Everyone was always welcome at his table to enjoy great conversation and more than a few corny jokes. Because of his love for the Fourth of July, his family will be hosting a memorial celebration in early July (details forthcoming). In lieu of flowers,

contributions in Ralph’s name may be made to further endow The Ralph W. Carlton Scholarship, c/o

National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St., Marblehead, MA 01945. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Carlton family.