Ralph Harold Sprague

Ralph Harold Sprague, 88, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was born on March 6, 1936, to Robert and Bernice Sprague, in Effingham, New Hampshire. After graduating in 1955 from Sanford High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served his country for four years before returning to Maine, where he spent a few years working for local oil companies delivering oil and repairing furnaces. He then went to work for a local plumber and learned the trade, eventually starting his own part­ time plumbing business while working full-time as a pipefitter at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In 1986 he left the Shipyard and started working as a plumber full-time, serving Sanford and surrounding communities. Known as a good, hardworking man, his business was very successful and kept him busy until he was 86, when he finally decided to retire. Even when he wasn't working, Ralph was working. He could fix anything (sometimes things that weren't even broken!) and was always helping others with his plumbing knowledge. He loved the outdoors, and in his free time enjoyed "headin' north" usually to the Millinocket area, to hunt, fish, and snowmobile with his son and grandsons. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, Wolves Club, and Lafayette Club, and was a lifetime member of the Elks. He was very well-known in Sanford and at most places he went someone would announce his arrival by calling out "Ralphie!" Ralph was predeceased by his son Michael Sprague and step-grandson Michael Whitten. He was also predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert, and his sister Muriel. He is survived by his wife, Irene Sprague, of Lyman; his three children: son Steven Sprague and his wife Sandy of Sanford, ME, son Gary Sprague and his wife Michelle of Sanford, ME, daughter Cyndi Zinderman and her husband Jeff of Pompano Beach, FL, his stepdaughter Lisa Ross of Sanford, ME, sisters I,ois Hayford and Louise Bouchard of Sanford, ME; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 21st at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale. The family would like to thank the staff of the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for the care and compassion shown to Ralph and his family during his illness. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.