Albert O. Ratcliffe, 90
Dateline: Norton, MA
Albert O. “Whitey” Ratcliffe, age 90, of Norton, passed away surrounded by his loving family at home, on Sunday, February 1, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy E. “Dolly” (Dion) Ratcliffe to whom he was wed on February 3, 1951.
Born in Fall River, MA on April 16, 1924, he was a son of the late William G. and Mary J. (Luddy) Ratcliffe.
Whitey grew up in Fall River and Dighton, and was a graduate of Dighton High School. He proudly served his country as a mechanic in the United States Army during WWII and was honorably discharged on April 15, 1946 with the rank of Technician 5th Grade.
A resident of Norton for over 60 years, Mr. Ratclifffe was a retired automobile mechanic in the City of Taunton and was the owner of the former Whitey’s Service Center on Broadway.
He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton and was an active member of the Masons. His Masonic affiliations included being a member of King David Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Taunton, a member and past master three times at the former Charles H. Titus Lodge in Taunton; where he had sponsored many blood drives throughout the years.
He was also a member of St. Mark’s Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Taunton, the Taunton Council of Royal & Select Masters, the Bristol Commandery of Knights Templar in Attleboro, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Wareham, and the Palestine Temple, AAONMS in Cranston, RI.
Whitey enjoyed spending time with family and friends alike. His hobbies included gardening, arts and crafts shared with his wife, and when younger was an avid stock car driver throughout New England. He was also a lifetime member of the Taunton VFW.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his devoted sons: Paul W. Ratcliffe of Norton, Brian D. Ratcliffe and his wife Nancy of Taunton, Bruce D. Ratcliffe and his wife Jane of Ashby and Albert O. Ratcliffe of Florida. He was the cherished grandfather of Brian “Dustin” Ratcliife and his wife Jessica, Brooke Ratcliffe, Nathan Ratcliffe and Matthew Ratcliffe. He is also survived by his sister Maryjane Goff of Berkley and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Saturday, February 7th at 9:00 A.M. from the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton followed by Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 1 Power St., Norton. Burial will be at a later date at the Timothy Plain Cemetery in Norton.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 6th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Whitey’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.
To send the Ratcliffe family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com
Dateline: Norton, MA
Albert O. “Whitey” Ratcliffe, age 90, of Norton, passed away surrounded by his loving family at home, on Sunday, February 1, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy E. “Dolly” (Dion) Ratcliffe to whom he was wed on February 3, 1951.
Born in Fall River, MA on April 16, 1924, he was a son of the late William G. and Mary J. (Luddy) Ratcliffe.
Whitey grew up in Fall River and Dighton, and was a graduate of Dighton High School. He proudly served his country as a mechanic in the United States Army during WWII and was honorably discharged on April 15, 1946 with the rank of Technician 5th Grade.
A resident of Norton for over 60 years, Mr. Ratclifffe was a retired automobile mechanic in the City of Taunton and was the owner of the former Whitey’s Service Center on Broadway.
He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton and was an active member of the Masons. His Masonic affiliations included being a member of King David Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Taunton, a member and past master three times at the former Charles H. Titus Lodge in Taunton; where he had sponsored many blood drives throughout the years.
He was also a member of St. Mark’s Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Taunton, the Taunton Council of Royal & Select Masters, the Bristol Commandery of Knights Templar in Attleboro, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Wareham, and the Palestine Temple, AAONMS in Cranston, RI.
Whitey enjoyed spending time with family and friends alike. His hobbies included gardening, arts and crafts shared with his wife, and when younger was an avid stock car driver throughout New England. He was also a lifetime member of the Taunton VFW.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his devoted sons: Paul W. Ratcliffe of Norton, Brian D. Ratcliffe and his wife Nancy of Taunton, Bruce D. Ratcliffe and his wife Jane of Ashby and Albert O. Ratcliffe of Florida. He was the cherished grandfather of Brian “Dustin” Ratcliife and his wife Jessica, Brooke Ratcliffe, Nathan Ratcliffe and Matthew Ratcliffe. He is also survived by his sister Maryjane Goff of Berkley and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Saturday, February 7th at 9:00 A.M. from the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton followed by Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 1 Power St., Norton. Burial will be at a later date at the Timothy Plain Cemetery in Norton.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 6th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Whitey’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.
To send the Ratcliffe family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com
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