Ralph J. Shatos

ROYALSTON - Ralph Joseph Shatos, 70, of Royalston, died on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Athol Memorial Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Ralph was born on May 24, 1940, and was raised in Athol. He graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1958. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 to 1964. He achieved Corporal status and was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Mr. Shatos worked for the former Union Twist Drill Company in Athol for twenty-five years. He also worked for the Royalston Highway Department for many years and served on the Royalston Police Department. Ralph was a Boy Scout Leader in Royalston and a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Athol. He is remembered most as a man of his Lithuanian heritage and one with many traditions. He loved being a Marine, living in Royalston, hosting sauerkraut parties, making Lithuanian food and spending time with family and good friends. He was known for his extreme generosity and his welcoming nature. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and died a Marine. He leaves his wife of forty-five years, Sandra J. (Francis) Shatos; two daughters, Jacqueline M. Shatos Carroll and her husband Donald, Marnie J. Shatos Farrell and her husband Michael, seven grandchildren; Molly, Maddison, Kyle, Matthew, Maggie, Mallory and Abigail all of Marlborough, and many close relatives and good friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Meg Elizabeth Shatos of Newton in 2000; and by his mother, Pauline M. Shatos of Athol in 2001. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 3, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 101 Main Street, Athol. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, Athol. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 101 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com. Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol, is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });