Ralph W. Searles, Jr.,81, passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Edith K. (Smith) Searles of Auburn, who died in 2018; a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Gough; a brother, Willard Searles; and a brother-in-law, Robert McCoy. He is survived by his two daughters, Melissa D. Hannon and her husband James of Auburn, and Kathryn D. Courteau and her husband Paul of Auburn; six grandchildren, Bethany McIntosh and her partner Jay Kibler, Thomas Arnold and his wife Erin, Eric Hannon and his wife Gillian, Erin Gough and her husband Shawn, Nicholas Arnold and his partner Rebekka, and Patrick Hannon and his partner Haley; five great-grandchildren, Dimitri McIntosh, Waylon Gough, Maisy Gough, Atticus Kibler, and Zepplin Kibler; a brother, James Searles of Fort Pierce, FL; two sisters, Bernice Braisted of Stuart, FL, and Evelyn McCoy of Fair Haven, MI; and a brother-in-law, Russell Smith and his wife Linda, of Spencer; and several nieces and nephews.

He was born in Worcester, son of the late Ralph W. and Jeanette E. (Rivernider) Searles, and lived in Auburn most of his life. He graduated from South High School in Worcester. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in Germany and Alaska. He retired from the U.S. Army reserves.

Mr. Searles was a quality control technician at Montrose Cable in Auburn. Later, he was an armored car driver for Loomis and Fargo. He loved computer technology, including working on computers and playing computer games. His love for his dog Sophie was unmatched.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.