Ralph O. Dodge, 87

FLORIDA, Mass. — Ralph Oliver Dodge, 87, of Florida, Mass., died Thursday, January 25, 2018, at Berkshire Medical Center.

He was born in Whitingham, Vt., on July 30, 1930 a son of Percy Reynolds Dodge and Hazell Mary (Vose) Dodge. He graduated from Whitingham High School. Ralph was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and served in the US Air Force. He was the self-employed owner and operator of Ralph O. Dodge Trucking Company, which he started in 1964 and operated until his retirement in 1993. 

Ralph enjoyed fishing, boating, gardening and NASCAR racing. He was a Selectman in the Town of Florida from 1979-1982 and Constable from 1979-2016. 

His wife, E. Ilene (O'Dell) Dodge, died on November 11, 1995. They were married on December 31, 1954.

Survivors include three daughters, Julie Bernier of Lanesboro, Mass., Janet Bartlett and her husband, Timothy, of Florida, Mass., and Cheryl Collins and her husband, Robert, of Newport, N.H.; two sons, John Green of Shaftsbury, Vt., and Kevin Dodge and his wife, Judi, of Florida, Mass.; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray Dodge of Kennewick, Wash., and Roy Dodge of Othello, Wash.; and nieces and nephews. 

His son, Percy Dodge, died May 29, 2007, and his sister, Helen Dix, is deceased.

Funeral notice: Calling hours for Ralph Dodge will be Monday, January 29, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St., North Adams, Mass. Burial with military honors will be in the spring in Florida Church Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to PopCares in care of the funeral home.