Ralph F. Blades

MILFORD - Ralph F. Blades, Sr. passed peacefully away from this world on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford just three days short of his 96th birthday. Ralph was born in Seaford on March 7, 1920, son of the late Harry and Nellie (Williams) Blades. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving his country proudly during World War II. Ralph was a lifetime waterman plying the Delaware Bay for fish, crabs, clams, and oysters. He also worked at ILC in Frederica, making space suits for the Apollo Program. In the 70's he became a marine policeman for the Delaware Department of National Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and was given the title of "Captain of the Bay" watching over the other waterman and their catches. After retiring, he enjoyed fishing, family and friends, Nascar, gardening and traveling. He was the last surviving charter member of the Bowers Fire Company, Station 40, established in 1938. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Foraker Blades; a son, William Blades; his second wife, Cathrine Simpler Blades; and a sister, Virginia Spicker. He is survived by a daughter, Sharon Stolinski; her children, Lonnie Field, Jr. and Andrea Hutcheson and her husband Marc, and their son Andrew; a son, Ralph F. Blades, Jr. and his companion Mary Navalaney; and a stepson, Larry Simpler and his wife Ann. Services will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, 6486 Bay Rd, Frederica. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the Bowers Fire Company, Inc., 3285 Main St, Frederica, DE, 19946 or to Clam Jam Benefit Committee, 20106 Beaver Dam Rd, Milford, DE, 19963. Condolences may be left on line at www.rogersfhmilford.com