Ralph L. Hoar, 93 of Franklin MA died unexpectedly at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston MA, on Friday, April 7, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Lois M. (Swanbeck) Hoar for just shy of 70 years.
He was born on May 9, 1923, in Norfolk MA, the beloved son of the late John and Catherine (Gately) Hoar. He attended Walpole High School in Walpole, MA, and achieved his GED after completing his tour of duty in the Navy.
Ralph joined the Navy in October of 1941 at age 18, and was accepted at the aviation ordinance school in San Diego California. He was trained as a gunner and became a 3rd Class Gunner’s Mate and Electro-Hydraulics Expert aboard the new destroyer, USS Lardner, which saw much action in the South Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a Purple Heart recipient in October of 1945, thirteen days short of a four-year tour of duty.
After leaving the Navy, Ralph worked as an auto mechanic in Franklin, MA for 10 years, before taking a position with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. He worked for the RMV for 30 years, spending the last 15+ years as an Investigator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Auto Theft Bureau, working in concert with the National Auto Theft Bureau. He was also an auxiliary police officer for the town of Franklin.
Ralph was a devoted father to his eight children, loving each of them tenderly, wholly and unconditionally. He spent time teaching them to appreciate the beauty of a sunset, the secret to crafting a good sauce and meatballs, and how to tell a good joke. He taught them how to ice skate, to fish, and to develop a green thumb; all the things he, himself, loved to do.
Besides his wife, Ralph is survived by his sister Mildred Bonifazi of Franklin MA ; his children Timothy Hoar and his wife Susan of Mendon MA; Christine Poirier and her husband Roger of Northbridge, MA; Margaret Flanagan and her husband Douglas of Plymouth MA; Kevin Hoar and his wife Mary of Franklin, MA; Cathleen Gabay and her husband, David of Saratoga Springs, NY; Rosemary Seaver of Franklin and her fiancé, James Piacentini of Plainville; Michael Logan and his wife Marlo of Franklin Ma; and John Logan of Nantucket, MA; as well as 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Hoar Levasseur, Laurence Hoar, Rosemarie Hoar and Thomas Hoar.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, April 18 from 9:00-10:30AM in the Ginley Funeral Home, 131 Main Street, Franklin followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM at St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin.
Interment will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in his name to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 or a charity of your choice.