Ralph Brown

SEBAGO — Ralph Philip Brown, 72, passed away peacefully at Bridgton Hospital, surrounded by family on Sunday, March 23, 2015. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, a friendly face, and pillar of the Sebago community.

He was the son of Merle and Grace (Rankin) Brown, born Sept. 23, 1942, in Portland. He attended local schools and graduated from Potter Academy in 1962.

Loved and respected by many, Ralph lived a life based on hard work and integrity. He started working in Sebago on the summer road crew and at Richard's Dairy Delight. After working in the culinary field at The Christmas Tree Farm, Bridgton Academy and Garland's Restaurant, his work path then brought him to the State of Maine Dept. of Transportation. While working on the Bridge Dept. he held many positions, his most enjoyable was working on covered bridges. He retired from the State after 29 years of service, but completed his circle of work by returning to the Town of Sebago Public Works Department, working in many different capacities including road maintenance, road commissioner and transfer station attendant until 2012.

Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Carol Ramsey on June 15, 1963, and lived locally before moving to Bethel for a short time. They then returned to Sebago after purchasing land in the Convene area of Sebago in 1965. During this time two daughters were born, Mary Beth (Harrington) and Melissa Ann (Littlefield).

Ralph enjoyed being outside best, whether for work or play! He spent much of his time on farming endeavors, and he was the third generation of his family with a talent to carry on the tradition of "tinkering" to repair or create equipment for any farm or family need. Spending time in the woods, cutting and hauling out trees was one of his activities. Spring days, however, were spent tapping trees and boiling sap to make maple syrup. He loved passing on this tradition to his children and grandchildren.

Unselfishly, Ralph's life for many years revolved around his daughters' horse shows, pony driving competitions, and 4-H events. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, lobstering, snowmobiling and ATVs. In his later years, puzzles and bird watching became his passions.

Ralph was a longtime member of the Sebago Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed time with his wife, sister, and brother-in-law, Bob Burns, while square dancing with the Crazy Eights, and during membership in the Maple Grove Grange for 45 years.

Ralph is survived by Carol, his loving wife of 51 years; his sister, Ann Burns; daughters, Mary and Melissa, and sons-in-law, Alfred Harrington and Kenneth Littlefield. Also surviving are the joys of his life, his grandchildren, Nicholas Harrington, Christopher Harrington and Kayla Littlefield. He will also missed by his canine friends.

Graveside services will be held at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Hiram in the spring.

Arrangements by Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wnyfuneralhome.com

If you would like to make a donation in his memory, he has requested they be made to the Sebago Community Fire Company, P.O. Box 179, Sebago, ME 04029, to be earmarked for a potential new fire/rescue building to be built at a later date.