ROCKLAND — Ralph Gray Eldridge, 88, passed away May 6, 2015, at his home.

Born in Quincy, Mass., on May 24, l926, he was the son of Robert Ernest and Audrey Gray Eldridge. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy and served as a Seabee on the Pacific Front during World War II. He retired with the rank of commander, after a Navy career of more than 30 years. Ralph studied physics and meteorology receiving degrees from Boston College and MIT. He spent many years working for Mitre Corporation.

Ralph's love of family and country was matched only by his loves of music, sailing and wooden boats. He served as a volunteer at the Mystic Seaport Boathouse and was a member of the Newport Navy Choristers for many years. Since arriving in Maine, he participated in the local jam at the Sail, Power and Steam Museum in Rockland.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Marie Duffy Eldridge, with whom he had six children; as well as his second wife, Sara Crockett; and his grandson, Daniel Robert Eldridge. He is survived by his wife, Mary Alyce Eldridge; his children, Robert John Eldridge and his wife, Theresa, of Wilmington, N.C., Gayle Marie Powers and her husband, Robert, of Westford, Mass., Paul Michael Eldridge and his wife, Jane, of Billerica, Mass., Ralph Colin Eldridge of Marlborough, Mass., John Christopher Eldridge of Buckley, Wash., and Peter Norman Eldridge of Billerica, Mass.; his stepdaughter, Paige Weaver-Mangrum of Nashville, Tenn.; and his stepson, Jess Conrad of Monticello, Maine; as well as 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held Monday, June 29 at 1 p.m. at the Sail, Power and Steam Museum at 75 Mechanic St. in Rockland.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sail, Power and Steam Museum, 75 Mechanic St., Rockland, ME 04841; Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841; or Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.