DUMAS, Ralph O. of Chelmsford, formerly of Everett, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 4, 2025 in the hospice unit of the United States Veterans' Administration Hospital in Bedford. He was five days short of his 95th birthday. Born in Malden, Ralph lived in Everett for most of his life before moving in with his son and daughter-in-law in Chelmsford in 2017.

Ralph was the son of the late Henry O. and Lena C. (Fregosi), the beloved husband of Margaret A. (Juliano) Dumas for more than 73 years, the dear and devoted father of Ralph O. Dumas, Jr. and his wife Donna of Chelmsford, and Maureen D. Mallam and her husband Richard of North Carolina. He was the beloved Gramps of Stephan (Kate) Dumas, Carrie (Sean) Conway, Kennan Rhyne, and Kaleigh (Austin) Graham, and great grandfather of Arya, Lucas, Kit, Josiah, Wes, Tian, and Laine. He was the beloved older brother of the late Barbara and her late husband Alfred Ennis, and Virginia and her husband Edward Carroll of New Hampshire.

Ralph and Margaret grew up a year apart in the Village section of Everett. Following his graduation from Everett High School in 1948, they were the final couple married in the original Saint Anthony's Church in September of 1951. In February of 1952, Ralph was inducted into the United States Army where he was stationed in New York, New Jersey, and Iceland.  Although Ralph was an excellent baseball player in his youth, he was unable to play in high school because he needed to work to help support his parents. In the Army, however, he played center field for several base teams. He was very proud of the time he spent in the Army.

Before his induction, Ralph worked as a laborer at the Warren Pipe Foundry in the Lynde section of Everett. When Avco opened a research laboratory in the Village, Ralph worked there in various positions and eventually came under the tutelage of a retired Air Force Colonel who saw something special in Ralph and who helped him obtain a position as property administrator with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge. It proved to be the job of a lifetime as it gave Ralph the opportunity to travel around the country on Smithsonian business, including a trip to Maui along with many trips to Arizona. After nearly 30 years with Smithsonian, Ralph retired in 1995 and he and Margaret undertook many journeys, including trips to Bermuda, Alaska, Ireland, Italy, and Hawaii. Eventually they became snowbirds, spending summers at Campers' Haven in Dennisport, and winters in Sarasota, Florida. As evidenced by his remarkable condition for a nearly 95-year-old man, Ralph was always on the move. He played golf until last year and was still driving until last month. Throughout his years, Ralph was a dedicated runner and bowler, an avid cribbage player, enjoyed throwing horseshoes, loved a game of UNO, and liked reading James Patterson novels. He served the City of Everett as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for many years and was also a member of the Saugus-Everett Lodge of Elks.

As a young boy, Ralph was a fan of the Boston Braves because they provided discounts for kids to attend their games. After the Braves left for Milwaukee, he switched his allegiance to his beloved Boston Red Sox. Although they broke his heart many times throughout the years, he and Margaret never gave up on them as they watched every game together. Their support was finally rewarded with the four World Series championships won during the 2000's.

In addition to his love for the Red Sox and Margaret, Ralph provided great support and unconditional love to his children and grandchildren. He was always available to help his and Margaret's parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and godchildren whenever a need arose. He was a true believer in God and lived an exemplary life in service to his Roman Catholic faith. At Saint Anthony's, Ralph served as a CCD teacher and Eucharistic Minister until his later years. When Margaret could no longer attend Mass, Ralph brought home Holy Communion for her and they prayed together as a couple. As Margaret's health deteriorated, Ralph tried his best to honor a commitment he made to never move her into a nursing facility. He kept this commitment until recently when it became clear that she needed more help than he could provide at home. Until his lung cancer diagnosis at the end of March, Ralph visited her daily and continued to do her laundry as he worried more about Margaret's situation than his own. A more devoted son, husband, and family man could not be found.

Ralph's entire family wishes to express their gratitude to the staffs at the Lowell General Hospital Oncology ward and the VA Hospital Hospice unit. Their dedication to making the last weeks of Ralph's life comfortable will never be forgotten. They clearly do remarkable work.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ralph's visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Friday May 9, 2025 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. His funeral will be from the funeral home on Saturday at 9 a.m. with a funeral Mass to follow in the Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett at 10 a.m. Interment at the Glenwood Cemetery, Everett.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Ralph's memory to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. Information can be found online at www.t2t.org Parking with attendants on duty.