Ralph Meuse, 90, formerly of Bedford and Reading, Massachusetts, passed away October 8th after a long illness.

Ralph was born in Reading, MA on June 8, 1922 to Rose and Dennis Meuse, and graduated from Reading High School in 1939. He served his country in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 and later enlisted in the Marines during the Second World War.

For fifty years, Ralph was known professionally for his meticulous craftsmanship in aluminum and wooden greenhouse design and construction. He was also known for helping family and neighbors with gifts from his garden and with his time—often providing assistance with home repairs and renovations or just pitching in to help shovel a neighbor's driveway after a winter storm.

Ralph was a gourmet cook and a fan of all Boston sports teams (especially the Bruins). He enjoyed classical music, opera, ballet, flower arranging, grocery shopping, pretty girls, Clive Cussler novels, and his collection of goofy tee-shirts—but probably not in that order. He also greatly enjoyed spending time with his two grandsons, Danny and Justin, and will be remembered for his kindness and good cheer by his neighbors and their children.

For the past two years, Ralph was a resident of the Wilmington Health Care Center in Wilmington, MA, where his gentleness and sense of humor will be dearly missed.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Alice K. (Foley) Meuse in 2002, and is survived by his sons David of Portsmouth, NH and Paul of Bedford, MA, his daughter Jacquelyn of Lynn, MA, his grandsons Justin Meuse of Washington DC, and Daniel Meuse of Bedford, MA, as well as his sister Edith Nestor of Wakefield, MA, and several generations of nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Marion Rafter, Theresa Meuse and Evelyn Cadigan and brothers, Clarence and Leo Meuse.

Calling hours will be from 4 PM to 8 PM, Friday, October 12 at Bedford Funeral Home 167 The Great Rd., Bedford. His funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 13, at 9 AM at St. Michael Parish, 90 Concord Rd, Bedford.www.stmichaelparishbedford.org).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ralph's memory to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate/index.aspx) or the American Stroke Association http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Giving/ForIndividuals/MemorialsandTributes/Memorials-and- Tributes_UCM_001141_SubHomePage.jsp).