AUBURN-Ralph E. Gallant, 83, of Auburn, died December 24th in his home surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife of 31 years, Rose H. (Wrubel) Gallant; two sons, Ralph E. Gallant, Jr. and James B. Gallant; two daughters, Lee Ann Wood and Debra Therrien and her husband, Robert; his sister, Shirley Fiore; five step-sons Joseph, Danny and David Dufresne and Robert and Stephen Brackett Gallant; 21 grandchildren, including his beloved granddaughter and caretaker Ashley; 21 great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. His brothers Paul and Robert Gallant, two sisters Pauline Cardwell and Violet Fiore; and his step-daughter Katherine Dufresne predeceased him.
He was born in Worcester, the son of Edward H. and Lillian (Fontaine) Gallant. Mr. Gallant was a World War II and Korean War veteran serving with the United States Army. Mr. Gallant had currently been working for BJ’s Wholesale Club in the maintenance department and had previously worked for the University of Massachusetts for 11 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart-St. Catherine of Sweden Parish and the Chester P. Tuttle Post American Legion an avid sports fan and particularly enjoyed hockey and baseball as well as candlepin bowling. Mr. Gallant was also a boxer while in the Army, he was known as “Kid Dynamite”.
His funeral is Thursday, December 29th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with his Mass at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart-St. Catherine of Sweden Church, 600 Cambridge Street. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday, December 28th from 5:00 until 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the; D.A.V., P. O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.