None William Ralph

William J. Ralph of Dedham died at his home surrounded by his loving wife and children.  A long-time resident of Dedham, William leaves behind his wife Patricia (Brown), and his children Patricia O’Mara and her spouse James of Amherst, New Hampshire, William Ralph, Jr. and his spouse Tricia of Dedham, Deborah Conant and her spouse Jeffrey of Westwood and Thomas Ralph and his spouse Christina of Webster, MA.  William also leaves behind his loving grandchildren; Alyssa, Patrick, William III, Shannon, Elizabeth, Laurinda, Jessica, Thomas, Jr. , John, Joseph, Zachary, Emily, Sarah, James, Hannah and Elena.  William was predeceased by his parents, Alice and John Ralph, his step-father, Walter Hafferty, grandson Michael O’Mara, brothers John and Thomas Ralph and sisters Dorothy Connolly, Irene McGowan and Agnes (Betty) Anderson.  Born in Roslindale to John and Alice (Hammer) Ralph, he was the youngest of six children.  His father John was a Boston Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty when William was only 2 years old.  William attended and graduated from Don Bosco High School before entering the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.  William was stationed on the USS Monrovia, APA-31, as a Machinist’s Mate First Class from 1952-1956.  After the Navy William went to work as a box maker at the Bicknell and Fuller Company.  In 1963 William joined the Metropolitan District Commission Police Department where he received several commendations, including his involvement in breaking up a large auto theft ring and narcotics operation which resulted in the arrest of five individuals and four indictments.  He transferred to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in 1965 where he was assigned to Boston and Roslindale (Zone 1) and in that same year was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit where he rose to the ranks of Assistant Supervising Inspector of Special Services and Supervising Inspector with Power to Hold Hearings.  In 1984 he was assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Special Investigations Unit where he worked for District Attorney Newman Flanagan on a variety of investigations and worked on renditions and extraditions of fugitives.  In July of 1992 William became a member of the Massachusetts State Police and subsequently retired in December 1992.  After retirement from the State Police he returned to work at the Registry of Motor Vehicles where he worked in the Driver Control Unit and as a Hearings Officer.  He left the Registry in 2001.  William was active in his community serving as an usher at St. Mary’s Church and serving as a Town Meeting member.  He was a member of the American Legion, Post 18, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Post 2017, USS Jacob Jones and the Disabled American Veterans.  He was a former member of the Massachusetts Retired Motor Vehicle Inspectors Association, Massachusetts Police Association and the Boston Police Emerald Society.  William enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and visiting Disney World.  Above all of these, his favorite activity was spending time with his family.   Due to COVID19 restrictions the funeral and services will be for immediate family only.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Michael J. O’Mara Memorial Fund c/o United Way of Greater Nashua at https://tinyurl.com/mjofund or by check made out to The United Way of Greater Nashua and mailed to 12 Tamarack Lane, Amherst, NH 03031.