Ralph L. Thurston
<p>Rumford- Ralph L. Thurston, 88, passed away suddenly of natural causes on Friday April 14, 2023. He was born on July 25, 1934 in Rumford, the son of Arthur (Stubby) Thurston and Annie (Ladd) Thurston. At the age of two, he and his brother Kenneth went to live in Rumford Point with his aunt and uncle, Marion (Thurston) and Chester Ladd.</p><p>Ralph married Winona Korhonen in June of 1953. Together they had two children, Ralph C and Katherine.</p><p>Ralph lived and worked on The Ladd Farm all of his life raising crops and Angus cattle. He drove truck for the farm from the age of 16 until he retired at the age of 80. Retirement was not by his choice!! He loved his trucking and his time on the tractor and his angus cattle. He often showed cattle at the fairs for himself and Ladd Farm, winning many ribbons and grand champion. Everyone Ralph met was a friend and he loved everybody. He didn’t have many hobbies because work became his hobby. In his younger years, he liked ski jumping and later in life he enjoyed snowmobiling. He enjoyed time at camp and boating on Richardson Lake. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.</p><p>Ralph is survived by his companion of 23 years, Charlene Page. His son Ralph C., daughter, Katherine (Mike) Gross and grandson, Christopher Gross. Other survivors include a brother, Mark Thurston, and an uncle, Marlin Thurston, special friends, Robert and Diane Milligan, and Matthew Thurston and Jade Gianforte, special cousins, Mary (Tom) Lyons and Rhonda (Charlie) Ladd and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, foster parents, brothers, Kenneth, Rex and Ronald and his special cousin (brother) Arthur Ladd.</p><p>Friends and family are invited to sign the online guess book and share memories with the family at: www.meaderandson.com</p><p>Graveside service for family and friends will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, June 24th 2023 at the East Ellis Cemetery in Rumford. A celebration of life will follow at the Andover Congregational Church from 2-4.</p><p>Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home 3 Franklin St., Rumford, ME</p><p><br></p>Obituary
Rumford- Ralph L. Thurston, 88, passed away suddenly of natural causes on Friday April 14, 2023. He was born on July 25, 1934 in Rumford, the son of Arthur (Stubby) Thurston and Annie (Ladd) Thurston. At the age of two, he and his brother Kenneth went to live in Rumford Point with his aunt and uncle, Marion (Thurston) and Chester Ladd.
Ralph married Winona Korhonen in June of 1953. Together they had two children, Ralph C and Katherine.
Ralph lived and worked on The Ladd Farm all of his life raising crops and Angus cattle. He drove truck for the farm from the age of 16 until he retired at the age of 80. Retirement was not by his choice!! He loved his trucking and his time on the tractor and his angus cattle. He often showed cattle at the fairs for himself and Ladd Farm, winning many ribbons and grand champion. Everyone Ralph met was a friend and he loved everybody. He didn’t have many hobbies because work became his hobby. In his younger years, he liked ski jumping and later in life he enjoyed snowmobiling. He enjoyed time at camp and boating on Richardson Lake. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Ralph is survived by his companion of 23 years, Charlene Page. His son Ralph C., daughter, Katherine (Mike) Gross and grandson, Christopher Gross. Other survivors include a brother, Mark Thurston, and an uncle, Marlin Thurston, special friends, Robert and Diane Milligan, and Matthew Thurston and Jade Gianforte, special cousins, Mary (Tom) Lyons and Rhonda (Charlie) Ladd and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, foster parents, brothers, Kenneth, Rex and Ronald and his special cousin (brother) Arthur Ladd.
Friends and family are invited to sign the online guess book and share memories with the family at: www.meaderandson.com
Graveside service for family and friends will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, June 24th 2023 at the East Ellis Cemetery in Rumford. A celebration of life will follow at the Andover Congregational Church from 2-4.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home 3 Franklin St., Rumford, ME