Ralph “Bud” F. Derby, 80, died peacefully on Monday, September 9, 2013, at Autumn Village Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester. Ralph was born in Gardner, the son of Philander G. and Helen E. (Faulkner) Derby Day and lived in West Boylston for 37 years before moving to Athol and lived the last six years in Sterling.
     Ralph is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 52 years, Patricia A. (Healy) Derby of Sterling; three sons, Kevin Paul Derby of Martinsburg, WV, Ralph F. Derby Jr. of Fitchburg and Kevin Ryan Derby of St. Petersburg, FL; a daughter, Helen Tourigny of Westerly, RI; a brother, Ashton Derby of Worcester; a stepson, Stanley Kokernak of Rochdale; three stepdaughters, Karen Nortey of Brandenton, FL, Denise Lammi of Townsend and Cynthia Carroll of Leicester; 17 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a son, J. Ashton Derby.
     Ralph was raised in North Grafton by his mother and stepfather, Ellis N. Day. He attended the Grafton school system and went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Air Force, most notably in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1951-53. Ralph was a truck driver for most of his life, retiring from Roadway Express after 35 years of service. Ralph was a member of the American Legion Harold N. Keith Post 204 in West Boylston, the 40/8 DAV and the Teamsters Union Local 170.
     A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013, at 11 a.m., at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave., Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brookhaven Hospice, Butterfly Fund, 6 Beech St., Framingham, MA 01702. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling.