Ralph A.MacDonald 2/24/1925 to 4/30/2017 A lifelong Windham resident, Ralph passed at his home at age 92 after a long illness. He is survived by his four children: Raymond, Linda, Roy, and Nancy. Ralph was born and raised in a one bedroom farmhouse in East Windham with 6 brothers and 3 sisters and a niece and nephew. In spite of many challenges living with no electricity, no refrigeration, party line telephones, an outhouse, well water and horse drawn carriages, the family enjoyed wonderful times together listening to the battery operated radio and "fireside chats" with FDR in front of the wood stove with a kerosene lamp. Ralph's mother, Ida, fed and clothed the family selling blueberries, canned goods, and her famous rolls. Nobody went hungry. Ralph had fond memories of her signature desert of cling peaches and whipped cream. To help the family, Ralph was sent at age 12 to work on a farm for free room and board and one dollar a week. He attended the Ireland School in East Windham, a one room schoolhouse with Clara Nash as the sole instructor. He was such a good student and she such an excellent instructor that he skipped the first and third grade, and graduated from Windham High School as the youngest member of the class of 1941. After graduation, Ralph worked for gentleman farmer Menasis Smith in Falmouth growing peonies. Later he worked at the Shipyard in South Portland. In 1943 he was drafted into the Army Air Corp during WW II, attended Cadet School, becoming an Officer. He trained as a P51 fighter pilot, and was honored to be a member of the same cadet class as Gordon McCrae, the famous actor and singer who starred in Oklahoma! (Ralph's favorite movie). His Air Force career brought him to many places throughout America – McCallum, TX, Ballenger, TX, Mission, TX, Ft Bragg, NC, and he was stationed in Hammond, Louisiana when the war ended and he was discharged in 1945. Ralph then briefly attended veterinarian school on the GI bill at Middlesex University in MA. In his spare time he flew his private plane throughout Maine. He enjoyed trips to the soda fountain and met the love of his life, Mary Hawkes, at the South Windham drugstore. After a brief courtship, they married in 1949 in a ceremony at her parent's house. They honeymooned at his sister Gladys Hill's home in East Windham. The marriage lasted until Mary's death in 2012. They first lived with the Hills, later purchasing a small 18th century Cape Code home from his in-laws, Stanley and Eleanor Hawkes. The home was known as the Bodge residence, named after its original inhabitant, Reverend Bodge, one of Windham's founding fathers. To support a wife and family, Ralph started off building houses. Then, in 1958, after taking the civil service exam he was appointed Postmaster of the South Windham Post Office by President Eisenhower. Ralph was a good boss, working most Saturdays and holiday seasons so employees could spend time with their families. He spoke fondly of his best and most popular employee, Heidi, a Saint Bernard who walked the route with the carriers, understanding postal schedules and not arriving for work on Sundays or holidays. The patrons appreciated her: she received many Christmas gifts and cards. The office was known throughout the area for its hominess and lush plant life, which supplied many patrons with slips. Between tending customers, supervising his staff and keeping the boiler heating system from overflowing Ralph was busy. He also carried a wide variety of stamps for collectors who specifically travelled to his office. Ralph's proudest lifetime achievement was initiation of extended postal hours- the only office to open at 7 am and close at 6 pm-serving the local community on their way to and from work. Ralph enjoyed attending postmaster meetings throughout the state and was appointed President of the Maine Postmaster's Association. He particularly enjoyed the annual Maine convention in Kennebunkport at the Narragansett Hotel. He and Mary also once travelled to Anaheim, California to the national meeting, the only vacation of their 63 year marriage. Ralph and Mary and their four children summered at their Collins Pond cottage. The family enjoyed ice skating on the pond in winter months. Ralph golfed, hunted and ice fished when he had time. He particularly enjoyed hunting with Hall Sawyer, owner of Sawyer's store in the village. In 1966 Ralph and Mary sold the camp and set out to build and design Mary's dream home, next door to the Post Office. Ralph spent several years juggling his job, home construction and tending to his bedridden mother, who passed away in 1976. He was a proud member of the Order of Masons, attending Masonic Lodge meetings and serving as a Past Master in 1961. He also enjoyed attending Windham High School basketball games with his children. After retirement from the Post Office, he worked for Cory Coffee Company in Portland. He was a practical joker and played many jokes on his coworkers. He spent semi-retirement years enjoying woodworking, making clocks and small furniture for family members as well as doing repairs and other favors for family and friends. For 20 years Ralph spent every week with an elderly, partially blind gentleman named Mickey Fecteau, driving him to grocery stores and Doctor's appointments and running errands. On occasion, Mickey handed him a bunch of grapes or an orange as a thank you gift. Ralph was a weekly visitor to Ledgewood Manor Nursing Home to spend time with his sister, Dorothy Sawyer. He socialized with his good friend Dr. Ed Tottle over lobster rolls and lemonade luncheons, discussing the war, politics and solutions to the world's problems. Ralph and Mary enjoyed retirement with long drives "upcountry" exploring the many small towns in Maine, frequently travelling with their cousin Eleanor and her husband Gene Arnesault. They avoided the Big City (Portland), enjoying trips to South Paris to dine at Barjo's Restaurant or The Inlet in Steep Falls. Ralph and Mary enjoyed gardening and decorating their home. A 4 am riser, Ralph was up before Mary to start the coffee pot, enjoying Shredded Wheat and an early drive to South Portland to avoid traffic and spend time at the Maine Mall on the indoor walking loop, in later years walking the Windham trail. Ralph enjoyed cooking and followed his mother's tradition of baked bread and beans every Saturday. He made delicious rolls but insisted they weren't as tasty as his mother's. In 2008 Ralph became homebound due to Mary's dementia and cared for her, fulfilling a lifelong promise of never placing her in a nursing home. After her death, he cared for Lily, her beloved Shit Tzu. Jerry Paradis was a frequent visitor, and they spent many afternoons playing cribbage. As one of the few remaining WWII veterans, in recent years he participated in the Windham Memorial Day parade, proudly carrying the flag and wearing the Air Force cap. Ralph was predeceased by his siblings Malcolm, Dorothy, Ruth, Kenneth, Robert, Gladys, Richard, Kenneth and Philip. He enjoyed good health most of his life but was bedridden during his last few months: A special thanks to the Veterans Association, the Windham Rescue Unit and special caregivers Brenda and Norma that made his last days so peaceful and pleasant. A strong kind man with an independent spirit, unmatched ethics and integrity, he was the embodiment of the greatest generation. The world is a darker place without him and his family misses him dearly. At Ralph's request, there will be no funeral or visiting hours.