GLOUCESTER: Ralph H. Harnish, 79, of Sheedy Park died Saturday, November 15, 2008 in the Addison Gilbert Hospital following an extended illness. He was the husband of the late Mary Dorothy (Powers) Harnish, who died in August of 2003.
Born in Gloucester on March 13, 1929, he was the son of the late Samuel F. and Viola E. (Amaral) Harnish. A lifelong resident of Gloucester, he had attended Gloucester public schools.
Ralph was a member of the National Guard during the Korean War. He was employed as a shipper/receiver for many years at Gorton’s of Gloucester.
An avid golfer, he was a former golf pro at the Bass Rocks Golf Club and enjoyed boating and fishing. He also loved watching his grandchildren at their sporting events.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Josephine (Cusumano) Harnish of Gloucester, Christopher and Rhonda (Warsop) Harnish of San Antonio, TX, a daughter and son-in-law, Stacey and Charles “Tibby” Thibodeau of Gloucester, six grandchildren, Robert, husband of Maris Harnish, John, husband of Meaghan Harnish, Brian, husband of Breanne Harnish, Katelyn Thibodeau, Kelsey Thibodeau and Chassity Bassett. He also leaves his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Amy Harnish and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, John, Russell and Edward Harnish and his brother-in-law, William Powers.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday afternoon in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 260 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Committal services will be held privately.