Ralph E. Boyer

Ralph E. Boyer, 89, of Ludlow, passed away Monday, January 7, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Originally from Pennsylvania Dutch country, he worked in the mines after high school graduation in 1947.  He was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force serving in Japan and Korea during the Korean War.  He was later assigned to Westover AFB’s Remote Transmitter Site.  Upon discharge Ralph worked as a television installation and repair technician.  He joined Shawinigan Resins (later Monsanto West/ Solutia Eastman) as a Chemical Operator in 1955.  He worked in Monsanto’s Butvar Dept and then as a QC Lab Analyst until becoming Night Supervisor in 1961. In 1967, Ralph became Day Supervisor in the East Butvar Dept.  He was assigned to the South Butvar start-up team in 1974, where his primary responsibility was training department operators.  In 1980, he became the Plant Training Coordinator.  He retired in 1986 after 31 years of service.  After retirement he remained as a consultant, rewriting training programs for several operating departments. Ralph was a devout communicant of St. Elizabeth’s Parish in Ludlow where he taught CCD and was a substitute teacher at the Parish School. 

Ralph’s philosophy was “Never stop trying! Always be the BEST “you” you can be.” 

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Jeanne (Lavoie) Boyer and their children Elaine (Lucio), Janet (Craig), Kenneth (Joanne) and Diane (Kirk).  He also leaves his grandchildren Zopito, Nathan, Jonathan, Amy, Kathy and Ashley and his great-grandchildren Sophia, Grace, Claire, Leo and Angelo.

Visiting hours for Ralph will be Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 9:00-10:30 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Elizabeth’s Parish.  Rites of Committal with Military Honors will be in Island Pond Cemetery.  Donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to St. John the Baptist School, Hubbard St., Ludlow, MA or the charity of one’s choice.