Ralph R. Richardi a proud WW II Veteran passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the age of 102.

Ralph was born in Boston, spent his childhood in Randolph, and his high school years in Salem, where he graduated from Salem High School.  He played on the football team in high school, boxed while in the military, and later in life volunteered at the Boston Marathon.  

He entered active duty in the U.S. Army on April 6, 1943, serving as a Military Police Officer with Hq 1184 MP Company. He rose to the rank of Corporal and served in both the Rhineland and Central Europe during some of the heaviest fighting as Allied forces pushed their way into Germany from November 1943 through December 1945. From the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, until the official end of the war on September 2, 1945, Ralph was in Europe, faithfully serving his country.

He was proud of his service, though he seldom spoke of the tragedies and atrocities he witnessed firsthand—the friends and fellow soldiers lost, the civilian casualties, and the cruelties of war. Ralph did his duty, fought for freedom, and served his country with honor. While proud of his service, he often wished it had not been an experience he needed to endure.

After the war, Ralph returned home and built a long and successful career as an electronics technician at MIT Lincoln Labs, where he worked for more than 40 years. Known for his ability to repair almost anything, he even helped build the company’s first computer, often turning engineers’ ideas on paper into reality. He loved his work, and even after retiring, he returned part time to Lincoln Labs.

A lifelong tinkerer, Ralph could fix anything around his home. His basement was always stocked with spare parts and materials that he “just might need.” He even built a color television for his family. Generous with his talents, he was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends in need.

Ralph was also a longtime HAM radio operator, known by his call sign W1OLK. He communicated with fellow operators around the world, and even in assisted living he managed to set up a small radio system with the help of maintenance staff.

Ralph was easygoing, kind, and deeply appreciative of all those who shared in his life.

He and his late wife, Theresa, shared 53 years of marriage and more than 40 years together in Lexington. They loved traveling to Las Vegas, vacationing each summer for two weeks in Ogunquit, Maine, and especially enjoyed dancing together.  They were part of the Greatest Generation who served his country, community, and family. 

Ralph was the husband of the late Theresa Mary (McDermott) Richardi.  He was the loving father of Maureen Goddard & her husband Glenn of Ogunquit, ME formerly of Burlington, Ellen Amerault & her husband Edward of Riverside, CA, Kathleen Duggan & her husband Todd of Burlington, and Kenneth Richardi of Arlington.  He was the brother of Beverly Murphy of South Weymouth, Virginia Richardi of Braintree, and the late Patsy Richardi.  He was the proud grandfather of Scott Goddard, Christopher Goddard, Sean Duggan, Makaila Duggan, Kenneth Richardi, Kerrianne Miller, and Kelley Amerault.  He was the great grandfather of Nathan, Andrew, Timothy, Sarah, Joy, Gabriel, Elias, Naomi, and Luca.  He was the great great grandfather of Judah and Josephine.  Ralph enjoyed the companionship of Pat Edgerly, whom he met while living at Stonebridge.

A visiting hour will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Friday, September 19 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.   followed by a Funeral Service at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m.  Services will conclude with a burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge with military honors.

Memorials in Ralph’s name may be made to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, www.nechv.org, P.O. Box 961500, Boston, MA 02109.