Joseph Francis Ramos

HARPSWELL -- Joseph Francis Ramos, 86, of Harpswell died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at his residence.

He was born in Hyde Park, Mass., on June 25, 1922, a son of John Sousa and Julianna (Minnie) Kessler Ramos.

He graduated from Hyde Park High School, where he was track-and-field champion. He then attended and graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in education. Joseph also received a master's degree in education, and his minor in secondary education administration and guidance.

From 1953 to 1955, he was affiliated with Barden Ball Bearing Co. in Danbury, Conn., as process engineer. He was then employed by Electronic Corp. of America in Cambridge, Mass., and from 1958 to 1961, he worked for Clevite Transistor Corp., in Waltham, Mass., as supervisor of drafting and standards, and from 1961 to 1967 he worked at Itek Corp. in Lexington, Mass.

In 1967, Mr. Ramos became director of vocational education and was responsible for the development of the new regional vocational high school in the city of Lewiston, where he also was involved in a modular curriculum development program. This involved the writing of an individualized learning package together with the production of closed-circuit television to augment the teaching process, and he assisted in development of the facilities for teaching the vocational technical program. He was also an instructor in vocational drafting at Lewiston Vocational Technical High School.

Joseph faithfully served his country in the Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion in Brunswick. He enjoyed sailing, golf, model boat building, reading and skiing, and was an avid debater. He served as coach of varsity girls' field hockey and swimming at Lewiston High School. He also enjoyed horseback riding.

He married Janet Humphreys on June 29, 1952. She died on Nov. 5, 2008. They lived in the area for 30 years, coming from Lewiston.

Mr. Ramos was also predeceased by three brothers, Amelai Ramos, Bartholomew Ramos and John Ramos; and three sisters, Viola Ramos Woessner, Genevieve Ramos Baulkan and Pearl Ramos.

He is survived by a son, Jeffrey Phillip Ramos and his wife, Vickie, of Harpswell; his daughter, Juli Ann Ramos Ormsby, wife of the late Jon C. Ormsby, of Danville, Ky.; a brother, Walter Ramos and his wife, Margaret, of Naples, Fla.; and seven grandchildren, Jessica Ormsby, Jeremy Flint, Brian Flint, Amanda Flint, Jenna Ramos, Jeffrey Ramos and Joshua Ormsby.

Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, where a funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Monday with Joshua Ormsby officiating. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

Memorial donations can be made to the Joseph F. Ramos Vocational Drafting/Engineer-ing Scholarship Fund, c/o Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, ME 04011. Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfu neralhome.com