DEER ISLE – Ralph Lee Eaton, 96, a resident of Hancock County, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012, in Blue Hill. Ralph was born May 8, 1916, in “Clam City” Stonington, to Calvin Ames and Effie Mae (Sellers) Eaton.
He grew up in the Stonington and Deer Isle areas and was married to Alice Barbour, June 14, 1942. During World War II, Ralph enlisted in the military. During his service, he had a slightly unusual occupation for a soldier, serving as an able seaman with a U.S. Army harbor craft company in the European Theatre of Operations. After the war, Ralph continued to work as a mariner, eventually qualifying and making his career as a captain aboard private yachts. In 1961, he moved the family to Cape Cod, Mass., where he made the family home and his career. Ralph was also active in his community through the Masons, Odd Fellows and American Legion, maintaining a 60-year membership in each organization. After Ralph’s retirement in 1982, Alice and he returned to Deer Isle to enjoy their years together.
Ralph is survived by his sons, Calvin, David and Ted Eaton; grandchildren, Kim, Carrie, Nancy, Karen, Chrissy, and Scott, all of Florida and Texas, Kathy, Beth and Melissa, all of Massachusetts and California, and Sara and Joshua of Cape Cod, Mass.; many great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Alice; and parents.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 7, at the Stonington chapel of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home. Committal will be at Oceanville Cemetery, Stonington. Remembrances may be donations to Memorial Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 387, Deer Isle, ME 04627; or Island Nursing Home, 587 North Deer Isle Road, Deer Isle, ME 04627.