H. Ralph Messenger, 86, died March 24, 2006 in Ft. Myers, FL. Born in Somerset, MA, a son of the late Harold Ralph and Frances (Smith) Messenger, and beloved husband of the late Ethel (Almy) Messenger. He lived in Connecticut and California during his career, moving to his beloved Breezy Knoll Farm in Tiverton, Rhode Island in 1971.
Mr. Messenger spent his youth in Tiverton. Interested in history and politics, he served as a page in the Rhode Island House during his college years at Brown University. As a Flight Officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he wrote stories from the war zone for the local paper. In 1944, Ralph married his childhood sweetheart and after his return from military service in 1946, began his family and his career in the insurance industry. Working to develop underwriting systems that utilized early computer data processing technology, he quickly earned respect for his work and upon retirement from General Electric Corporation had attained the level of Vice President of New Business Insurance. After Ethel’s death, he later married the late Esther (Farr) Hatch.
Mr. Messenger was a member of Amicable Congregational Church for 71 years and a charter member of the ‘Saturday Night’ card group, active now for over 30 years. An avid card player, he also joined a pitch club. He enjoyed travel and golf and attended many bluegrass concerts. Ralph’s love of history led him to write an autobiography,
Turn Brook, in 2001. A devoted Red Sox fan since youth, he was enjoying several pre-season games in Fort Myers with his family at the time of death.
Mr. Messenger leaves three sons, Harold G. and his wife, Anne (Rotondo) Messenger of Rehoboth, MA, Robert A. and his wife, Christine (Drape) Messenger of Tiverton, RI and David R. and his wife Judith (Medeiros) of Tiverton, RI. He leaves one daughter, Kathleen E. Messenger of Plymouth, MA and one step-daughter, Virginia Hatch of South Deerfield, MA., eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Visiting hours from the Potter Funeral Home in Westport, MA will be on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 from 5-8 p.m.
A funeral service with military honors from Amicable Church and burial at Hillside Cemetery is scheduled for Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.
Flowers are respectfully omitted. Remembrances made be made in loving memory of Ralph Messenger to the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.