Electrician's Mate, Chief Petty Officer, Ralph W. Caldwell, (U.S. Navy Retired) a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday, July 27, 2020 at his nieces home in Charlestown. He was 92 years of age.
Ralph was born in Boston on May 4, 1928, a son of the late Ralph H. Caldwell and Theresa F. (Kenneally) Caldwell. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated at St. Francis De Sales Parochial School and graduated from Boston Trade High School. Ralph enlisted into the United States Navy on January 20, 1946 and served his country with dignity, honor and courage during both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict. He was honorably discharged on January 28, 1966 with the rank of Electrician's Mate, Chief Petty Officer following 20 years of faithful service to his country. Following his discharge from the United States Navy, Ralph worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, New England Telephone Company as a Lineman and his last employment was with The Chelsea Soldiers Home as a Steam Engineer. He was a man of all trades who could fix anything and was always willing to help those in need who needed repairs. In his spare time, Ralph enjoyed reading and boating and fishing in Coventry, Rhode Island. He was a member of The Old Charlestown Schoolboys Association, NITRO Association, Winthrop Elks, D.A.V. Post and V.F.W. Post.
Ralph is the beloved son of the late Ralph H. Caldwell and Theresa F. (Kenneally) Caldwell. He is the devoted brother of the late Catherine M. Shea and her husband Paul and Theresa "Lois" McLaughlin and her husband Jack. He is the loving uncle to Kathy T. Shea, Paul M. Shea, John R. McLaughlin and his wife Sandra Griffin McLaughlin and their children Annie and Katie McLaughlin, Mandy T. Simmons and her husband Robert Simmons and their children Samantha, Marissa and Raymond Simmons and the late Timothy D. McLaughlin and his wife the late Jillian Doherty McLaughlin and their surviving children Jaden, Ava and Peyton McLaughlin.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ralph's visiting hour on Friday morning, July 31, 2020 from 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown at 10 A.M. His burial will be at Blue Hills Cemetery in Braintree. (FACIAL COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED INSIDE FUNERAL HOME AND CHURCH.)
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Ralph's name to The Chelsea Soldiers Home, c/o Activities Fund, 91 Crest Avenue, Chelsea, Mass. 02150