Ralph Gardner

NORWAY — Ralph Roland Gardner, 89, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 at Norway Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

Ralph was born on Oct. 17, 1927 in South Waterford to Mary Hamlin Gardner and Horace Gardner. 
Ralph was a graduate of Bridgton Academy. He worked as a young man for the Oxford Pickle Company. He also drove trucks for Charles L. Thomes. Ralph was involved in the CLT Company for 62 years. He also worked for AC Lawrence Company for a number of years. He worked as head custodian at Harrison Elementary School until he retired. He was known as the “Candy Man” by parents and children alike as he always had a pocket full of hard candy to hand out. Ralph was also a caretaker of the town-owned cemeteries for several years.

Ralph served faithfully in the U.S. Army. He received an honorable discharge.

He was a member of the Bear Mountain Grange in South Waterford for 71 years and a member of Crooked River Masonic Lodge in Bolsters Mills for 56 years. He loved his family. He also loved his steer and oxen in his earlier years. Ralph was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and gardening. Ralph bowled at Hobb’s Lanes in South Paris. He loved dancing at the South Paris American Legion.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Allison Baker in 1990; and his wife, Helen Gardner in 1999; his brothers, Howard Gardner, Loren Gardner and Edwin M. Gardner; his sisters, Annie Gardner and Agnes Howe.

He is survived by his son, Edwin L. Gardner; his four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ralph loved all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

Graveside services were held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Harrison followed by a celebration of his life at Lakeside Grange #63 in Harrison. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris.