Ralph E. Raynes

Ralph E. Raynes, 90, of Baltimore, formerly of Augusta, Maine, died with all of his daughters by his side, at the home of his daughter Carolyn, Thursday evening Jan. 5, 2017.

He was born August 6, 1926, in Augusta, son of Nathan and Marjorie (Carey) Raynes. Ralph enlisted in the US Navy during WWII at age 17. He served in the Pacific Theatre until the end of the war, receiving his honorable discharge with the rank of Quarter Master 3rd Class. After the war, Ralph continued serving in the Naval Reserves and was called back to duty for a time during the Korean War. He was married to Shirley Whitmore Oct. 18, 1947, in Augusta; together they had many happy years. In 1952, she and Ralph travelled by car to Anchorage, Alaska, where they made their home for 15 years.

In 2015 Ralph was predeceased by his wife of nearly 70 years, Shirley. He was also predeceased by his brother Warren "Bud" Raynes and a sister Polly Hulett.

He is survived by his four daughters and their families: Steffany Raynes (Lin Skavdahl) of Marblemount, Wash., Shelley Chadwick (Robert) of Pittston ME, Sandra Soares (Mark) of Centerville, Mass., Carolyn Tourville (Tom) of Baltimore, Vt.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Patrick Chadwick (Tanya) and daughters, Morgan and Makayle of Pittston, Tracy Chadwick Johnson (KC) and children, Madelyn and Kole, of Pittston, Leigh Soares Gilmore (Scott) and sons Dustin and Wyatt of Greenfield, Mass., David Soares (Justine) of Norwood, Mass., Jacob Loiko (Lauren) of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jess Tourville (Alexis) of Hull, Mass., his sister Constance Johnston of Washington, Maine, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Ralph will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor and his many "Ralphisms."

Ralph's family would like to thank Dr. Delores Barbeau, Angel Cioffi, and Hospice of VT including Kathy's Caregivers for all their kindness and excellent care.

A celebration of Ralph's and Shirley's lives will be held on June 23, at 12:00 at the Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, Maine. Condolences to Ralph's family may be made in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Visiting Nurses & Hospice of VT and NH http://www.vnhcare.org/ giving/donate/ or Neighborhood Connections of Londonderry, VT at http://www.neighborhoodconnectionsvt.org/donate.html

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