1926 – 2013

SABATTUS — Ralph H. Bailey Jr., 87, of Chadbourne Road in Lewiston, died on Monday, Aug. 19, at the home of his daughter Judy Pinard where he had been staying for the last few months.

He was born on March 12, 1926, the son of the late Ralph H. and Gertrude (Brink) Bailey in Farmingdale. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1943. Ralph joined the Army-Air Force and served in WWII as a tail-gunner in the Pacific Theatre in the 500th Bomber Squadron.

On June 12, 1948, he married the love of his life, Frances V. Terrio, in Sabattus. He worked for Ducharme Bros. and Satler Corp. as a mason, then at Bates College until his retirement. Ralph was a member of the American Legion Post 135 in Sabattus and Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus.

Ralph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was an avid fisherman, he loved camping and hunting, and he and Frances traveled across the U.S. to Alaska. He especially enjoyed his plane and flying out of Twitchells Airport with his friends, Cedric Abbot, Bob Chouinard and Dick Thayer.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 65 years, Frances; two sons, Michael and his wife, Claire Bailey, of Poland, William and his wife, Janice Bailey, of Sabattus; and one daughter, Trudy and her husband, Ronald Pinard, of Sabattus; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Freeda Fickett Merrill of Ft. Myers, Fla.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Alden and George; and a sister, Ermengarde Tibbetts.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralalternatives.net.