Obituary of Ralph J. Dlouhy

9:00 AM Wednesday Prior to the Mass May 10, 2006 at the church Ralph J. Dlouhy, Sr. of Lacey, WA went to join our Lord on May 6, 2006. He was surrounded by his loved ones throughout the day and kept all of us smiling until the end. Ralph was born on October 20, 1925 to Joseph Dlouhy and Marion (Cox) Dlouhy in New Bedford, MA. Ralph attended Ashley Elementary School, Normandin Junior High School and New Bedford Vocational High School. As a young man, Ralph enjoyed ice skating at Brooklawn Pond. This is where he met the love of his life, Lorraine Lorette Cote, at the age of 14 years old. They would see each other each winter and enjoy ice skating together. When the ice thawed, they would go their separate ways until the next winter. On Halloween night in 1945, Ralph asked Lorraine to marry him. They were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Bedford, MA on April 27, 1946. Ralph and Lorraine gave birth to their firstborn child, Anne Marie on August 3, 1947. Soon after, Ralph and Lorraine welcomed their first son, Ralph Joseph Dlouhy, Jr. on November 10, 1948. Their third and last child, Lisa Anne was born on March 4, 1960. Ralph was a man with an extraordinary work ethic. He gave his all in everything he did. His first job was working on an oil truck making deliveries at 16 years of age. He worked in various machine shops, until settling at the Acushnet Process in 1944. This is where Ralph and Lorraine became reacquainted, began dating and then marrying in 1946. In 1957, Ralph, Lorraine, Anne and Ralph, Jr, along with Lorraine’s mother, Alexina Cote, headed west to start a new journey in Southern California. They lived in Torrance, CA from 1957-1960. During that time Ralph worked as a Tool and Die Maker for Brandt Mfg. and Bendix Company. In 1960 the family moved to Westminster, CA. Ralph worked as a Mold Maker for various companies including ITT Canon, L.M. Cox, Certron and EECO. Ralph retired in 1989 and the couple moved to Tumwater, WA to enjoy their retirement. During his retirement Ralph enjoyed gardening and bowling in the Tumwater bowling leagues. Ralph and Lorraine moved to Laurel Oaks in Lacey, WA in 2000. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 27, 2006. Throughout Ralph’s life, he has been active in helping others. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus. He worked in the St. Vincent de Paul Society Clothing Bank at St. Michael’s Church in Olympia from 1989 through 2000. Ralph loved helping others. He would never hesitate to lend a helping hand to anyone, whether they were a family member, friend or someone he didn’t know. Ralph knew no strangers. Ralph had varied interests. Most recently he was enthused about the bird population in his back yard. He was thrilled that several quail had returned this spring and he was looking forward to seeing the baby quail soon. He loved gardening and maintained a picture perfect yard. His last project was planting tomato plants and building a structure to encourage the growth. Ralph could fix or build anything. He was also very artistic and created many beautiful original ceramic pieces and scenic photography. Ralph was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was loved by all who knew him. His sense of humor and caring will stay with all of us forever. Ralph is survived by his wife, Lorraine (Cote) Dlouhy; three children, Anne (Donald Griffin) of Mukilteo, WA, Ralph Jr (Eileen), Wareham, MA, Lisa (Robert Vasquez) of Olympia, WA; five grandchildren, Ralph Joseph Dlouhy, III, New Bedford, MA, Valerie Mae Hill (Justin), Bothell, WA, Christopher Robert Vasquez, Orlando, FL, Bryan Joseph Vasquez, Seattle, WA, Nicole Morgan Vasquez, Olympia, WA; six great-grandchildren, Lauren Jenna, Madison, Alex, Colin, Sarah and Hannah. Ralph was predeceased by his granddaughter Kristen Maureen Griffin. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to your favorite charity. Please leave memories and condolences in our guest book by clicking on the "View Guestbook" link below.