HOULTON – Ralph Edwin Longstaff, 78, died Nov. 25, 2008, at his home, with his family and care givers present. He was born June 23, 1930, in Littleton, the son of Willis and Alice Atkinson Longstaff. Ralph graduated from Houlton High School in 1948, where he was a member of Future Farmers of America, and married Justina Clare Smith, Nov. 17, 1950. He joined his father in the family’s farming enterprise and raised potatoes for more than 25 years. He also took over ownership and management of Hogan & Smith International Harvester truck sales and service from his father-in-law, Wendell Smith, in 1965 and continued its operations until 1981. He had belonged to Houlton Grange and was a member of the Methodist church. Ralph was a lifetime member of Houlton Promenaders square dance club and enjoyed dancing, as well as collecting and restoring antique automobiles, and gathering with friends at various RV parks throughout Maine and New Brunswick. Always an avid collector, his greatest personal interest was in preserving antique agricultural machinery, farm implements, house wares and memorabilia that best represented the region’s farming heritage through the creation of Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 58 years; his five children, Jill of Greene, Lorrie and her husband, Jim Allen and their children, Kyleen, Ryan and Ross, of Bangor, Janet and daughters, Lacey Bailey and her husband, Derek, and Becca Bogan of Bangor, Brian and his wife, Darlene and children, Patrick and Breanna of Houlton and Lisa and her husband, Dann Hayden and children, Haley and Lucas of Hartland; his brothers, Everett and his wife, Mary, of Sequim, Wash., and Clair of Houlton; several nephews and cousins. Fittingly, family and friends are invited to share in a celebration of Ralph’s life held 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, United Methodist Church of Houlton or Hospice of Aroostook, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730.
RALPH E. LONGSTAFF
