Ralph Edward Roberts

Ralph Edward Roberts
CHESTER, N.H. -- Ralph E. Roberts was born on Nov. 22, 1924, in Haverhill, Mass., to the late Edward M. and Gladys B. Roberts. He was baptized in the Haverhill Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia Jane (Bailey) Roberts, whom he wed on Aug. 17, 1946; and their children: Sharon Lee Bell and her husband William of Chester, N.H.; Wayne David and his wife Joyce of Farmington, N.H.; Roy Edward and his wife Susan of Barrington, N.H.; Karen Nancy Cunningham and her husband David of Wakefield, N.H.; Keith Ralph and his wife Lisa of Raymond, N.H.; and Peter Eric of Old Orchard Beach. He left behind 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Richard and his wife Nancy of Texas. He was predeceased by their only sister, Ruth (Peavey) Roberts.
He attended Haverhill (Mass.) High School, joined the U.S. Navy, was Honorably Discharged as a WWII veteran, and attended New England College, becoming an Industrial Engineer. He worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Raytheon, and retired from Western Electric in N. Andover, Mass., after 31 years of service.
During his lifetime he had been active in many, many fraternal and civic organizations, including the Newton, N.H. Grange, Odd Fellows and Fire Department, and served as the Newton Town Auditor. Later, after moving to Kingston, N.H., he was Chairman of the Boy Scout Committee. He was a Past President of their Fireman's Association, and a State of N.H. and Nationally credentialed EMT. He successfully ran for and served nine years on the Sanborn Regional School Board. He was a charter member of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ and at different times was also the choir director of Portland St. Baptist Church in Haverhill, Mass., and the Epping Community Church in Epping, N.H.
He was a registered Hunter Safety Instructor in New Hampshire, and a licensed auctioneer. He was a Life Member of American Legion Post 51 in Epping, N.H., a member of the Bektash Temple Shrine Center in Concord, N.H., Patron of the Orient Chapter, and Order of the Eastern Star (formerly of Exeter, N.H., now Trinity Chapter of Hampton, N.H.). He was a Grand Representative to New York from N.H. Eastern Star, and he was a member of the Star of the East Masonic Lodge in Exeter, N.H. He enjoyed fishing, golf, gardening and camping. He was a huge Red Sox and Bruins fan, but beyond his wife Marcia and family, the true loves of his life were golf and football. Go Patriots!
A memorial service will be held for family and friends at the Raymond Baptist Church on May 7, 2011, at 11 a.m., with reception immediately following in the church dining area downstairs. To leave a message of condolence or remembrance, please visit: www.brewittfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ralph's memory to either the Shriner's Burn Institute or the Children's Hospital of Boston.
Ralph Edward
Roberts