Howard Alton Ripley

Howard A. Ripley, 92

RAYMOND - Howard Alton Ripley, 92, of Raymond, born in Rumford on July 7, 1925, the adopted son of Alton Leroy Ripley and Philamelia Henry Ripley, died peacefully at home Oct. 1, 2017.

Howard attended schools in Falmouth and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was active during the fighting for Okinawa, and as a young man of 20 was among the first U.S. troops to enter the mainland of Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During the Korean War, he responded to a call-up for the Marine Corps Reserves.

After early employment by S.D. Warren on their woodlands in Gray, he spent most of the rest of his working career as a self-employed logger cutting logs, pulpwood and firewood in Raymond and surrounding towns, usually working alone or with just one other hired hand.

Howard received special recognition for his professional woodcutting practices at the Morgan Meadow, Moose Meadow and Glover's Wig areas of Raymond, which was helpful in their being purchased under the Land for Maine's Future Act and are now kept intact for the recreational purposes of all.

After retiring from logging, he and his wife, Loretta, enjoyed traveling the Maine coast and points throughout the Northeast and Canada. They especially enjoyed trips to the Amish area of Lancaster, Pa. Howard had great affection for railroads and often booked excursions on tour trains to destinations in New England.

He was a longtime contributing member of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum. Playing cribbage and watching the Red Sox and Bruins on television were high on his list of favorite pastimes.

With no children of his own, time visiting with the youngsters of his extended family gave him great pleasure.

He was predeceased in 1990 by his first wife, Abigail Nash Ripley; and subsequently by two of her children, Dorothea Coppola and Robert Bunnell; and in 2017 by daughter-in-law, Ellen Bunnell. Loretta Liberty Ripley, his wife of 22 years, passed in 2013.

He is survived by members of the large extended family of his wife, Loretta, including daughter Linda MacDonald and husband Ted, of Gray; and sons Sidney P. Tripp and his wife Ann, of Raymond; and Allen W. Tripp, of Gray. Allen's wife, Nancy, predeceased Howard in 2011. Also surviving Howard are children of his first wife Abigail, Arlene Carson, of Norwood, Mass; Joann M. Libby, of Mount Vernon, Wash.; and William J. Bunnell, of Raymond.

His family would like to extend a special thanks to Julie and Chris Walker, of Raymond; and the people of First Light Home Care of Windham, and Androscoggin Hospice Care of Auburn, who devoted kind and attentive care to Howard during his time of decline and disability. And also, his neighbors, Bruce and Kathy Gordan, of Raymond, deserve special mention for their longtime help with mowing Howard's lawn and doing outside chores.

Per Howard's request, there will be no formal services. Burial will be next to his wife, Loretta, at the Elmwood Cemetery in Pownal.

Donations in Howard's name may be made to the
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
58 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04104