Ralph D. Rich, Jr.

Ralph D. Rich, Jr., 92, of Portland, Maine passed away on March 12, 2013. He was born in Portland the son of Ralph D, Sr. and Myra Trefry Rich. He attended Nathan Clifford School, Lincoln Junior High School, Deering High School, Hebron Academy and the University of Maine.

At the University of Maine he was one of many in the Class of ’44 who interrupted education to volunteer for WWII. He served in the Army Air Corps, and was part of the initial occupation of Japan in 1945. While home on leave he met the love of his life, Virginia Crocker. They were married in Morrisville VT on July 27, 1946.

Ralph was a member of Woodfords Congregational Church, The Woodfords Club, the Kora Shrine Temple, the Corner Stone of Masons, and The Portland Yacht Club.

His career with Johnson Supply Company and American Standard Plumbing and Heating took him to contractors, architects and engineers from Boston to Ft Kent, and points between. He retired in 1986, turning his full focus and energy to his wife, family and friends.

Ralph always had a zest for live. He was positive, loving, curious, easy going, supportive, kind, caring and loyal. His love for and devotion to wife and family was strong and unwavering, even through challenging times. Boating was a passion and a cornerstone for him. Except for his college and war years, he lived his full life adjacent to Casco Bay, always drawing strength and joy from that part of nature. He knew that the ocean wasn’t something you ever mastered... it was something that you worked in partnership with...something that would always teach, tantalize and reward you if you would let it. That is the way he lived his life, with and for others.

Ralph was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Crocker Rich and sister, Lois Rich Fearon.

Surviving are his brother Alan B Rich, Sr. and wife Katrina of Portland and Cumberland, son Jonathan C. Rich and wife Kathy of Alstead, NH, son Stephen B. Rich and wife Valerie of Glenburn ME, granddaughter Sallie J. Rich and great granddaughter Amara J. Rich of Portland, grandson Captian Alexander B. Rich and wife Megan of Hurlbert Field AFB FL, granddaughter Logan M. Rich and fiancée Jacques M. Reynolds of Bangor ME, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service for Ralph will be held this Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME.

Ralph’s family would like to thank the staff at the Veteran's Home in Scarborough for their kind, generous and compassionate care of Ralph during his stay there. They would also like to thanks friends and staff at the Woods at Canco in Portland ME for their companionship, and the staff at Springbrook Rehabilitation Center for their skill and caring.

In lieu of flowers consider donations to the Center for Grieving Children, 555 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101.

Care for Ralph and his family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland, ME.