West Bridgewater – Ralph F. Nee 83, died Sunday July 4. He was the beloved husband of the late Marilyn (Glennon) Nee.
Born in Boston September 17, 1926 he was the son of the late Michael M. and Florence (Riley) Nee.
As a veteran of WWII, he served in the Navy aboard the USS Lenawee in the Pacific Theater at the age of 17. He was a coxswain on a LCVP (Higgins) Boat and was part of the first wave at the Battle of Iwo Jima as well as participating in the Battle of Okinawa. He was one of the first shore patrols to enter the city of Hiroshima soon after the atomic bomb was dropped. As part of the crew of the USS Lenawee he was anchored in the bay of Tokyo during the surrender of Japan.
He became an electrician with the railroad when he returned from the Navy. When he retired from the railroad after 20 years of service he attained his Professional Electrical Engineer certification and began working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He retired after 40 years from the Commonwealth as Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Capital Planning Assets and Management. He was the first manager awarded the Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service, Pride in Performance, by Governor Dukakis in 1990. He was a Master Electrician and 60 year member of the IBEW LU 223.
Ralph was past Commander of the state VFW District 12 and past Commandeer of the VFW Post 697 of Whitman, where he remained very active until his passing. The VFW Post of Whitman became his second home and family where he leaves many dear and close friends. He was a 3rd degree Knight of the Fr. Bransfield Council of the Knights of Columbus #5046 and a 4th Degree Knight of the Cardinal O’Connell General Assembly Knight of Columbus both of Holbrook. He was also a 38 year member of the Elks of Hyannis.
He was an avid boater and had a lifelong love of the sea, spending many happy hours aboard his boat the Princess. One of his greatest joys was to go fishing with his son and grandson.
He is survived by his loving son Michael and his wife Kathleen and his cherished grandchildren; Ashley and Michael Nee all of Hanson, his younger brothers Paul Nee of Boston and Robert Nee of NH and his good friend Tom Melvin of Stoughton, along with several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his former wife Patricia of Holbrook. He was the brother of the late Michael Nee.
His funeral service will be held Saturday July 10 at 7 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 3 – 7 PM.