Ralph Elmer Slater Sr.

12/13/1930 - 8/11/2025

Old Lyme - Ralph Elmer Slater Sr., of Old Lyme, passed away Aug. 11, 2025. He was born Dec. 13, 1930, in Fall River, Mass., the son of Edwin P. and Margaret Slater. He honorably served in the U.S. Coast Guard at multiple duty stations, including the Philippines as the commanding officer of a Loran Station, and the Yakutat, where he was on scene at the Andrea Doria/Stockholm collision.

After serving in the Coast Guard, he worked as a development project engineer at Electric Boat in Groton. While there, his most memorable work was with the Navy Seals. He married Fay Brown May 28, 1955.

Ralph was a longtime active member of the New England West Highland Terrier Club and the West Highland White Terrier Society of Connecticut.

Ralph loved having a project to focus on, whether at work or, after retirement, at his home in Old Lyme. He loved his family and the many Westies he and Fay adopted throughout the past 50 years. Ralph loved to tell stories over Kahlua milkshakes, and he delighted in learning as many new things as possible.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 70 years, Fay B. Slater; and son Ralph Slater Jr., of Old Lyme; nieces, Janice Moore and Joan Maison, both of Florida, and Denise Goucher, Lisa O'Connell-Smith, both of Old Lyme, and Kathy Heald of Mt. Holly, Vt.; and many great-nieces and nephews. Ralph was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Ruth Root and Marion Appleby; and brother George Slater.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Westie Foundation of America, Inc., c/o Jim McCain-Donor Manager, 302 Hemlock Cove, Ball Ground, GA 30107. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com.