Ralph Sprague

KITTERY, Maine - With his loving family by his side, Ralph Sprague, 96, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, following complications from a broken hip.

Ralph was born in 1913 in Kittery, and remained a Kittery resident for the rest of his life, and in fact, should have been named "Mr. Kittery." He was probably the most well-known guy in town - everyone's barber and then their real estate broker. As a real estate broker, Ralph was responsible for the Kittery Malls - he had the foresight to sell the first piece of property on Route 1 that began it all. He loved his town and gave freely of himself to every organization he could. He served as President of the Kittery Lions Club, was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a charter member of the American Legion, and a Mason. He was known for his auctioneering skills when he ran the Lions Club auctions, and he worked endlessly each year to put on the popular Kittery minstrel shows.

He began his adult life as a musician, performing with the Pirates on his alto saxophone. His musical skills were continued when he served in World War II, entertaining the troops in Europe with his own band. When he wasn't entertaining the troops, Corporal Sprague was serving as a medic, first in France, pretty close to the front, then in Blanford, England.

Anyone who knew Ralph extolled his virtues and loved him for his integrity, spirit, and fantastic sense of humor. He was forever a gentleman, and genuinely loved people. His family was his life; he loved them totally and never failed to tell them how much.

In his recent years, Ralph became quite proficient on the computer, and was a whiz at downloading iTunes to cut CDs for his friends. He kept his interest in music as he continued to play his saxophone, taught himself the keyboard, and was a hoot while playing the spoons! He lived at Kittery Estates since their opening, and loved to participate in the musical activities, playing the drums with his buddy, Duke Snyder. He was never happier than he was with his new family at Kittery Estates.

Ralph will be sorely missed by all of his family, to whom he gave so much pleasure with his wonderful sense of humor and caring ways, and we are certain that he will be missed by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 72 years, Louise Foster Sprague. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Beveridge and son-in-law, Frank Beveridge, of Scarborough, Maine; his daughter, Sally Gould and son-in-law, Al Gould, of Newton, Mass.; his grandson, Christopher Clarke and his wife, Mary Kirk Clarke, of Carlsbad, Calif.; his granddaughter, Kimberly Pesik and her husband, Mark Falconer, of Seattle, Wash.; his granddaughter, Tamara Pesik, of Denver, Colo.; and his great-grandson, Evan Patrick Clarke, and great-granddaughter, Annabelle Olivia Falconer.

A memorial service for Ralph will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Kittery Lions Club, 17 State Road, Kittery, ME 03904. Care for the Sprague family has been entrusted to J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.