Ralph F. Burgoyne

Ralph F. Burgoyne, 71, of 122 Rigby Road, died Friday, November 28, 2008 in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife of 51 years, Margaret A. (Caiazzi) Burgoyne, three sons: Ralph A. Burgoyne of Lancaster, Robert J. Burgoyne of Colorado Springs, CO, and Richard M. Burgoyne of Bolton; two daughters: Angela M. Sweatland of Summerfield, NC, and Patricia A. Schumacher of Lancaster; a brother, Thomas Burgoyne of VT; two sisters: Marion Kulis of Clinton and Helen Pluta of West Brookfield; eleven grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was born in Clinton, the son of Ralph E. and Helen (Lizak) Burgoyne and attended local schools. He was a 1955 graduate of Worcester Boys Trade High School. A general contractor, Ralph owned and operated the Ralph F. Burgoyne Construction Co. for over forty years, retiring in 2003. Previously, he worked for five years as a draftsman for Morgan Construction Co., Worcester. He served as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard for several years. In January of 1987, Ralph joined his son Robert, a Sonar Technician stationed aboard the U.S.S. Philadelphia, a fast attack nuclear submarine, on a four-day excursion of sea trials from Portsmouth, NH to Groton, CT.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Clinton, and a Charter member and past President of the Lancaster Lions Club. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed annual fishing trips to the Outer Banks, NC.

Ralph's funeral will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008 from the McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., Clinton with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union Street. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Lancaster. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2008 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph's memory to St. John's Restoration Fund, 149 Chestnut Street, Clinton, MA 01510.

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