Ralph W. "Frenchy" Doyon

WALLINGFORD - Ralph W. "Frenchy" Doyon, 85, of Wallingford, beloved husband of the late Angelina Vitti Doyon, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the MidState Medical Center in Meriden.

Born in East Broughton, of Quebec, Canada, June 19, 1922, a son of the late Eusebe and Albertine Doyon, Ralph came to Connecticut in 1945 and moved to Wallingford in 1956. He was a veteran of World War II having served with the U.S. Army. Ralph was a gunner in a Sherman Tank, with A Co 19th Tank Battalion 9th Armored Division, also known as The Phantom Division . Ralph fought in battles in Central Europe in the Rhineland and Ardennes; he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds incurred during the Battle of the Bulge .The 9th Armored Division was credited with capturing the Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen providing the 1st Alllied bridgehead over the Rhine, where a sign read, Cross the Rhine with Dry Feet Courtesy of the 9th Armored Division . He had been employed by the American Cyanamid Company in Wallingford for 27 years until his retirement and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stanley Budleski Post No. 9965 of Yalesville. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Yalesville. Until recently, Ralph was active and independent. A tough veteran with a rough exterior, he had a kind, generous heart and was known for his sharp mind, mischievous humor, and superb cooking. He loved to surprise his family and friends by preparing home cooked meals.

He is survived by his three daughters, Yvonne Petrin and her husband, Marc of Cheshire and Suzannne Pinsonneault and her husband, Richard of Wallingford, Marie Farkas and her husband, Joseph of Sterling; his two sons, Ralph T. Doyon and his wife, Mary of Meriden and Rodney Doyon and his wife, Paula of Moodus. "Papa Bear" also leaves eight grandchildren Michelle Doyon, Danielle and Eric Petrin, Sandra Meyer, Andrew Farkas, Stephanie Scaramuzzo, Heather Quiles, Eric Pinsonneault; and four great-grandchildren Connor Pinsonneault, Rich Chevalier and Hayley and Cailey Quiles. He was predeceased by a sister and four brothers.

His family would like to thank Dr. Charles Kim and the medical staff at the MidState Medical Center Pavilion C. Special thanks to Dr. Tony Lendino for his exceptional care and friendship.

His family will receive relatives and friends in The Yalesville Funeral Home, 386 Main St., Yalesville section of Wallingford, Tuesday (TODAY) from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held from The Yalesville Funeral Home, Wednesday, at 9 a.m. when the funeral cortege will proceed to Our Lady of Fatima Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the MidState Medical Center, 325 Lewis Ave., Meriden, CT 06451.