860.443.3600

Obituaries

Obituaries » Ralph Frank Thorp, II

Ralph Frank Thorp, II

July 5, 1948 - November 18, 2018

Burial Date November 24, 2018

Obituary Viewed 2245 times

WATERFORD – Ralph F. Thorp, II, 70, entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, after a valiant fight against Stage IV pancreatic cancer, with his wife of forty-seven years by his side. Born in Buffalo, NY, son of the late Ralph F. and Mary F. (Underwood) Thorp, he lived in New London and then Waterford for many years. Ralph was a Learning Management System Administrator for Lawrence & Memorial Hospital for 17 years, retiring in 2017. Previously he played upright bass in and then was the Tour Director for the United States Coast Guard Band. He enlisted in 1970 and retired in 2000, at the rank of Senior Chief. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and his Masters Degree in Business from Connecticut College, where he also taught the string bass to many students over several decades. He taught many private bass students and adjudicated string instrument auditions for many state competitions. He was a lifelong member of the Train Collectors Association and played in many local bands, including Dick Campo’s Big Band and the Jim Stewart Orchestra. He enjoyed playing bass in the pit orchestras of Goodspeed Opera House, Ivoryton Playhouse, the CT Gilbert & Sullivan Society and several local community theatre groups. He is survived by his wife, Karen L. (Betler) Thorp, two daughters, Danielle M. Thorp of Brooklyn, NY, Allison R. Thorp of Waterford, and a brother, Terry (Judy) Thorp of Erie, PA. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday November 24th at 10 am at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, with a reception immediately following at the church. Since blue was Ralph’s favorite color, attendees are welcome to wear any shade of blue, if desired. The burial will take place in Buffalo, NY on Monday November 26th. The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home is assisting the family. The family would like to thank the staff of CCU, 6.2, the Cancer Hospital, and Drs. Haldas, Benjamin and Kober for their care of Ralph during the last year and especially his last hospitalization. Donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Lawrence & Memorial. For those wishing to send flowers, you are asked to have them sent directly to the church, St Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1830 Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT 06335



     

Our Building Is Handicap Accessible
Since 1950, Impellitteri-Malia funeral home of New London, CT has been providing funeral planning services to families in Southeastern, Connecticut (CT) including:
New London CT, Waterford CT, Groton CT, East Lyme CT, Niantic CT, Old Lyme CT and the surrounding local community.