Gerald Ralph (7 Apr 1933 - 21 Jan 2023)

In loving memory of Gerald Ralph who sadly passed away on 21st January 2023
Gerry was born in Portsmouth in 1933 and had three elder brothers, Gerry was not evacuated and stayed in Portsmouth throughout the 2nd World War during the blitz, in fact despite the destruction he found it an exciting time as a child. He especially enjoyed the dog fights over head.
Being in Portsmouth and having come from a Naval family it was always on the cards that he would join the Royal Navy, so at the age of 16 he joined his two brothers in the Royal Navy and spent the next 22 years travelling the world.
Gerry was extremely proud of his service in the Royal Navy and was well respected, he enjoyed the many varied things he was able to do.
He left the Navy to start a family and took a job as a game keeper in Scotland which was a completely different life, but one that he relished as it allowed him to be outdoors and spend time with dogs.
Dogs were always an important part of Gerry's life and had been a part of it from a young child to the end of his life. He even managed to have a dog on a ship whilst in the Navy, and when stationed abroad he also had them.
After a period of being a game keeper the family moved to Suffolk and Gerry worked for Manganese Bronze as an Engineer, he continued to be a part time game keeper as he loved the life style.
Gerry's first wife Mollie died and a couple of years later Gerry met and married Margaret and they moved to Creeting St Mary, Gerry worked his way up the ladder to become Chief Engineer at Manganese Bronze before retiring.
However retirement did not slow him down and he continued to be mentally and physically active and enjoyed working outdoors with his dogs.
They then moved to Dennington where he enjoyed the local pubs and walking up the recreation ground with his dog.
Old age suddenly seemed to catch up with him and he died peacefully in Ipswich Hospital leaving behind a Wife, Son, Step Son and Grandchildren.