SOUTH PARIS – Ralph Charlton Hoy, 89, of Greenwood, died Friday, Feb. 23, after a long illness at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris.

He was born in Worcester, Mass., on Dec. 12, 1917, the son of the Rev. Leonard and Elizabeth Charlton Hoy. He spent most of his early childhood in Peru, South America, where his parents served as missionaries with the Christian and Missionary Society. He continued his education at Briggs Corner, Attleboro, Mass., Deering High School, (Class of ’35) and Westbrook Junior College, Portland, graduating with a degree in tool making.

He worked as a toolmaker at Saco-Lowell Co. in Biddeford, until he joined the U.S. Navy in World War II, serving as a torpedo man. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he continued working at Hollbrook Co., Attleboro, as a toolmaker. He later joined Augat Inc. of Attleboro as head toolmaker and inventor. He was soon promoted to vice president in charge of production, retiring at the age of 57.

In 1944, he married Vivian Young, at Glenwood Baptist Church in Portland. They had two sons, Leonard J. Hoy II and Douglas J. Hoy.

Ralph was a person of outstanding integrity and personal honor. He willingly and quietly gave of himself and his means to be helpful to others. His gentle humor was a hallmark of his personality.

He was a skilled craftsman and inventor and specialized in problem solving. He enjoyed swimming, boating, fishing and skiing. After retiring, he remodeled several houses and built furniture. He was a member of the Bethel Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian; two sons, Leonard J. Hoy, and his wife, Cathy (Littlefield) Hoy, and Douglas J. Hoy, and his wife, Cecelia (Pope) Hoy; his grandson, Michael J. Hoy, and his wife, Megan (Bailey) Hoy, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and his granddaughters, Patricia Game, of Buckfield, and Krista (Hoy) Zagouras, and her husband, Nicholas Zagouras, of Poland.

The family wants especially to thank the staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris, for the loving care and affection in which Ralph was blessed to have spent his last years. All that you did made his passage from this life to eternity’s joys a gentle one, not only for him but for those of us who remain.