Ralph Edward Ornell

A Life Well Lived

Ralph E. Ornell, 88, of Randolph, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully under hospice care on October 18, 2025, after a brief battle with lung cancer. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on November 13, 1936, he was the son of the late Stanley J. Ornell and Alphonsine V. (Fournier) Ornell. Ralph attended St. Matthews and Dorchester High School in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

A Life of Service and Dedication

Ralph proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps aboard the USS Worcester (Fifth Division), where he was stationed in Jamaica, Cuba, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan.

After his service, he began a long and dedicated career as a pipe fitter—first at the Boston Naval Shipyard until its closure, and later at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Shop 56), where he worked until retirement. During his tenure, Ralph often traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, and spoke fondly of his time there.

A Gentle and Humble Spirit

Ralph was a gentle, humble man who lived a quiet life and was always thoughtful of others. After retirement, he enjoyed working at the Hampton Tolls well into his early seventies.

He had a lifelong love of the racetrack, football—especially the New England Patriots and Tom Brady—and numbers. He possessed an uncanny ability to remember long strings of digits and solve cryptograms with ease.

Loving Family

Ralph is survived by his children: Theresa Ornell of Braintree; Coleen Ornell of Weymouth; and Kevin Ornell of Worcester.

He is also survived by his Grandchildren: Natalie Ornell and Jami Ornell, and Reece and Ethan Ornell; stepdaughters Kathy, Laleen, and Noreen; and his stepbrother Duval Fournier of Norwood.

He was predeceased by his former spouses Bridget Philomena (Mulcahy) Ornell and Kathryne (Shanahan) Ornell; his son Ralphie Ornell Jr.; his brother Stanley J. Ornell of Summerfield, FL; his sister Carol M. McLeod of Halifax; and his step-siblings Arthur “Butchie” Fournier of East Bridgewater, Patricia McDonough of Readville, and Jacqueline Mason of Hull.

Service Information

In accordance with Ralph’s wishes, a private burial at sea will be held at a later date with immediate family members.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Ralph’s memory to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org), or to a veterans’ charity of your choice, in honor of his service to his country.

“Semper Fidelis.”

(Always Faithful.) He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him