Ralph C. Tangley

ATHOL - On Monday, January 3, 2011, our family lost our most beloved brother, step-father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ralph Clemence Tangley. Ralph resided at 31 Pinedale Road in Athol and most recently at the Applewood Home for Elders for two years and Quabbin Valley Convalescent Center for the last two weeks of his life. Ralph was born on December 28, 1914 and raised in Kingston, MA by his parents Charles and Catherine (Kelley) Tangley. He graduated from Kingston High School and later moved permanently to Athol. In the 1930s, Ralph worked at the Elms Restaurant (now Athol House of Pizza) and even worked during the great flood of '38, with many tales to tell of that day. He then worked at the Union Twist Drill as a machinist until retirement in the 1970s, breaking only from 1944 to 1945 when he served during WWII as a Seaman First Class in the US Navy, stationed in Puerto Rico. He was also a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp for two years around that time, and completed their Timber Management Survey course in 1945. Ralph loved his family and country first and foremost. He was an avid golfer and curler and acquired many trophies and awards over the years to show for it. He was the last remaining charter member of the Petersham Curling Club and had interesting stories to tell about it's building process. Ralph also enjoyed wood-working, working in his tool shop, gardening, the Patriots and the Red Sox, cuddling and coloring with his great-granddaughter Montana, playing cards with family and friends, and hunting. He traveled quite often with his wife Barbara to Bermuda and all over the United States. Ralph and Barbara also traveled often to attend curling bonspiels. He enjoyed working on Cub Scout projects with great grandson Etienne, even winning first place in the Pinewood Derby for the wooden race car they made together. Ralph also walked granddaughter Christine down the aisle during her 2002 wedding, with Christine's father Jerry on her other arm. Ralph was a member of the American Legion for over fifty years as well as a long-time Elk's Club member and a member of the Orange Seniors Club. Ralph leaves his brother Roland Tangley of Kingston, sister Helen ("Eileen") (Tangley) Squires of Bennington, Vermont, step-daughter Linda Lozier and her husband Jerry Lozier of Athol, step-son Ralph Douglas and his wife Linda (Cullen) Douglas of Gardnerville, Nevada, brother-in-law Ed Burnham of Athol, granddaughter Christine (Lozier) Lozier-Duprey and her husband Todd Duprey of Athol, granddaughter Jennifer Lozier of Petersham, granddaughter Meridith Young of Barre, and grandson Curtis Condike of Petersham. Great-grandchildren are Etienne ("Buster") Lozier and his sister Montana ("Tana") Duprey of Athol, Emily Rose Young of Barre, and Ava Condike of Barre. He also had many adored nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Barbara (Abare) (Douglas) Tangley, his brothers Harry and Roy Tangley, step-brother Robert ("Bobby") Abare, and step-sisters Joyce (Abare) Burnham and Iona (Abare) Farrell, all of whom he was very close to. Calling hours are this Thursday, January 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St. in Athol. A service will be held at Ralph's church, the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut St., Athol, on Friday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Gethsemane Cemetery at a later date at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in his memory to the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut St., Athol, MA 01331, or to the Salvation Army, 107 Ridge Ave., Athol, MA 01331 or to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com. Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });