Ralph E. Sleeper

HUDSON Ralph E. Sleeper, 67, of Hudson, died after a struggle with cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Marlborough Hospital. He was the husband of Linda J. (Cox) Sleeper of Hudson, to whom he was married for 28 years. In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Brian and his wife, Dawn Sleeper, of Hudson; his daughter, Amy and her husband, Jeff Morse, of Hudson; his daughter, Julie Sleeper of Hudson; his daughter, Melissa and her husband, Michael Luongo, of Tewsksbury; his stepson, Christopher Cox of Brookline; his sister, MayBelle Stevenson of Springvale, Maine, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his niece, Kathy deChabert and her husband, Mark, of Marlborough, and several other nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late John Sleeper. Mr. Sleeper was born in Hudson, son of the late John F. and Doris A. (Hinsman) Sleeper, and was a lifelong resident of Hudson. He was a graduate of Hudson High School, Class of 1958, and attended the New England Institute of Embalming and Funeral Directing, graduating in 1959. He was a trade embalmer and funeral director for many years and was a partner at Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home in Hudson. He was a U.S. Marine veteran of four years, from 1959 to 1963. He was a former call firefighter from 1966 to 1976. Mr. Sleeper was also a Hudson police officer from 1967 to 1996, retiring as a lieutenant. He was acting chief from 1981 to 1983. He was a former member of the Hudson Cemetery Commisison. After retiring, Mr. Sleeper worked at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, doing part-time maintenance and historical interpretation. He also pursued his lifelong ambition of being an antique dealer as a partner in Wayside Antiques of Marlborough. In 2001, he and his wife, Linda, opened Sleepers Second Hand Shoppe in Hudson. Mr. Sleeper was an avid historian and had a passion for old toys, toy soldiers, and all things related to the military. He was a collector of memorabilia of the town of Hudson. A funeral service will be held on Monday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m., in the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. (www.tighehamilton.com), 50 Central St., Hudson. Burial will follow in Forestvale Cemetery, Hudson. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the funeral home.