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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Thomas B. Ralston
Thomas B.
Ralston
May 13, 1955 – April 17, 2020
Thomas B. Ralston's Obituary
White River Jct., VT – Thomas B. Ralston, 64, died Friday morning, April 17, 2020, at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow, VT. He was born in Warwick, RI on May 13, 1955, the son of the late C. Evans Ralston and Katherine (Lawler) Ralston.
Tom spent his early years in Cranston, RI. After the passing of his father at the age of 7, the family settled in the Exeter, NH area. He graduated from Exeter High School in 1973 and furthered his education at the University of New Hampshire where he studied Civil Engineering. While attending the University of New Hampshire, Tom ran his own auto repair business before enlisting in the US Navy in October of 1980. While stationed at a Nuclear prototype in Saratoga, NY, Tom met Patricia (Pat) Lein. They married on September 25, 1982. Tom was later stationed in Groton, CT and spent many months at sea as a Nuclear Technician on the USS Alexander Hamilton. Following his Honorable discharge from the Navy in Oct of 1986, they moved to Ida, Michigan where Tom worked as a
p
rocedure
w
riter at the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station in Monroe, MI. It was here they started their family and welcomed their daughter Claira and son James. Because of Tom and Pat's desire to be closer to family and their love of New England, they moved to White River Jct., VT in 1993. Tom's mechanical experience enabled him to secure a number of jobs in and around the Upper Valley, including employment as a trouble shooter at Dartmouth College, maintenance technician at Greyhound Bus Terminal, and his most recent employment as a truck driver for Land Air Express company. A motor vehicle accident tragically ended his carrer in December of 2010, which left him a quadriplegic. Since 2010, he resided in a few nursing homes in and around the Upper Valley. He kept himself busy doing online classes and searching the web to keep on top of the world news. He was very proud to be the president of the resident council at the last two nursing homes he resided.
Tom was a private man and mostly liked to keep to himself. However, he was proud of the work he did with Habitat for Humanity in the Upper Valley, where he was able to use his skills as a carpenter to help families move into their forever homes. He loved his church family at St. Anthony's Parish in White River Jct., VT where he was a scripture reader. However, his greatest joy were his children whom he loved very much and was most proud of their many accomplishments.
He is survived by his former wife, Patricia Ralston of White River Jct., VT, who remained by his side. Daughter, Claira E. Ralston of Henderson NV, son, James H. Ralston of Lebanon, NH, two brothers, Evans Ralston of Las Cruces, NM, Frederick Ralston of North Conway, NH, and sister, Margaret "Skip" Walsh of Barrington, RI, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Because of the current COVID 19 circumstances, calling hours, funeral mass will be held at a later date at St. Anthony's Church in White River Jct., VT. His burial, with full Military honors, will be held in the Vermont Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New England Healing Sports (NE
H
SA) at
www.NEHSA.org
or Habitat for Humanity
of your choice.
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