Ralph R. Andrews, Jr.
Retired Ship Surveyor
TEWKSBURY: Ralph R. Andrews, Jr. age 89, a Tewksbury resident for 67 years, passed away at the Lowell General Hospital Saints Campus on Thursday, January 30, 2014.
He was the beloved husband of Dorothy M. (Young) Andrews, who passed away on October 28, 2004.
Born in Boston on February 21, 1924, he was the son of the late Ralph R. Andrews and the late Stella (Randall) Andrews.
Ralph was raised in Boston and attended Boston Public Schools.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Laffey.
He was awarded several decorations for his military service including the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with four Stars, the European-African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with one star and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed as Ship Surveyor for 10 years by SUP Ships Company of South Boston. Mr. Andrews previously worked in the same capacity at the Boston Naval Shipyard as well as for the General Dynamics Company.
Mr. Andrews was a former member of the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post # 110.
He is survived by four children, Richard D. Andrews and his wife Donna (Sferrazza) of Tewksbury, Susan J. Cantwell of Tewksbury, Barbara J. Soave of Plaistow, NH and Janice R. Stotelmyre and her husband Robert of Tewksbury; ten grandchildren, Heather D. Leary, Kristi L. Andrews, Paul R. Cantwell, Laura J. Smart, Kenneth J. Wilson, Jessica L., Daniel R. and Katy E. Soave, Amanda L. Catanuso and Matthew N. Stotelmyre; also ten great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Andrews was the grandfather of the late Brian D. Cantwell and brother of the late Phyllis Andrews, Stella Stephenson, Joan Andrews, Walter, Donald, and Eugene Andrews.
Calling hours Monday, Feb. 3, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury, immediately followed by funeral services to be held in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472