Ralph Albert Rossier
1911-1992

(1st son of Eugene and Chloe Rossier) Born: March 2, 1911 Fitchburg, Massachusetts Died: April 23, 1992 Canton, Massachusetts Married: Ida Klarner November 16, 1934 Born: October 16, 1914 Occupation: Radio/TV Master Technician, Welder, sign erector, security guard Ralph was born in Fitchburg but grew up and went to school in Leominster. As a youngster, he worked on the farm in Paxton owned by his Uncle Gustavus Rossier. He was an accomplished pianist until he lost two fingers in a factory accident. After finishing school he served in the National Guard On November 16, 1934, he married Ida Klarner in a lions' cage at a CIRCUS. Ralph and Ida had six children: Ralph, Jr., Caroline, Carl, Charles, Roy, and Richard. Carl died soon after birth in June, 1941. Ralph opened his own radio repair shop in Clinton but was unable to make a go of it due to hard economic times. In Clinton they met Bertha & Harry Rosbury, who became their lifelong friends. In 1943, they moved to Roxbury, Massachusetts where Ralph was a Boy Scout Leader taking his troops on many camping trips. Ralph and Ida became members of the Dudley Street Baptist Church. Ida and their 5 children were baptized in the church. During World War II Ralph worked in the Boston Navy Yard as a welder. He helped build more than 50 Liberty ships. After the war, he worked for Donnelly Advertising Company erecting billboards. In 1957 they moved to Stoughton, Massachusetts. He worked for Donnelly Advertising for 31 years. One time while constructing a billboard on the roof of a 3 decker building in Boston, he fell to the ground. Another time while constructing a billboard that overlooked U.S. route 1 Plainville, Massachusetts he fell 40 feet into a marsh. Both times he climbed back up to finish work on the billboard before being driven to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Ironically, years later he fell 3 feet off a step ladder, landed on a 2x4 plank and broke his back. True to his nature he got back up and finished tightening the bolts before going to the hospital. During the long treatment he became addicted to the painkiller, morphine. Before leaving the hospital he was given withdrawal treatment. Before his injury he was a two pack a day cigarette smoker and enjoyed alcohol. After returning home he never smoked a cigarette or had a drink. The saying, "every cloud has a silver lining" certainly came true for Ralph. His children inherited his ability to ignore an injury, get back up and complete the task before seeking treatment. Ralph loved sports and was a loyal fan of the Boston Braves, before they left Boston, and the Boston NFL football team owned by Kate Smith that now is known as the Washington Redskins. He never forgave the Braves for leaving Boston and refused to adopt the Boston Red Sox. He did become a fan of the Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and Boston Patriots (later renamed New England Patriots). And he enjoyed cheering for his son, Roy, who played on the Stoughton High School football team. After his retirement from Donnelly Advertising, Ralph and Ida did some extensive traveling up and down the East coast. Ralph died April 23, 1992 from lung Cancer caused by his work with asbestos at the Boston Navy Yard during the war. He is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery, Stoughton, Massachusetts.