Obituary of Ralph F. Potter

" Ralph F. Potter, Jr., 75 of Belchertown, MA and Ellenton, FL passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 with his loving family at his side. Born January 24, 1934 in Springfield, MA to the late Ralph and Luella (Pomeroy) Potter. Ralph was proud of his Enfield, MA heritage, living for many years in that town now covered by the Quabbin Reservoir. He served as a U.S. Army tank commander during the Korean War era. Employed by Ondrick Construction Company in Chicopee, MA for 37 years, he retired as a foreman in 1990. He was also an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed tremendously the past 20 years of retirement with Connie, his loving wife of 54 years. Ralph cherished spending time with his family and was a loving, caring and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Connie, his son Dale Potter and wife Carolyn of Warren, daughter Laura and husband Paul Miele of Ludlow, son Jim Potter and wife Pauline of Belchertown and son Lieutenant Commander Rick Potter and wife Ellen of Virginia Beach, VA as well as his two loving sisters Helen Mattson of W. Springfield and Beverly Scott of Springfield, MA. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Melissa and Samantha Miele, Alexander and Christopher Potter, Jennifer and Rebecca Potter and Jacob Potter. He will also be sadly missed by nephew Thomas Scott of Chicopee, nieces Victoria Moore of E. Longmeadow and Sheri Scott of Los Angeles, CA, cousin Shirley Porter of Worthington, MA and stepfather John Zajdel of Chicopee, MA Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park, Suite 105, Middletown, CT 06457, or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701. Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. "