Ralph Stearns

Bozrah-Ralph Alden Stearns, age 73, passed away at his home on January 28, 2022. He was born in Worcester, MA. on September 29, 1948 to the late Benedict and Virginia (Alden) Stearns. He married his wife Jean Adrian (Johnson) Stearns in 1973.

Ralph grew up in Auburn, MA. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree at Northeastern and Master’s degree at Rensselaer and went on to get his PE license all in engineering. He was the primary inventor of the AirSeal trocar for abdominal laparoscopic surgery. He had 183 patents, mostly surgical, while he worked at SurgiQuest and US Surgical, in Connecticut.

He enjoyed playing pool in New London billiards weekly; and traveling with his wife, Jean of 48 years to Sweden, Russia, Alaska, Australia, China, Africa and lastly Egypt.

He will be forever loved and remembered by his wife, Jean; and also by a daughter Michelle Donskoy and her husband Dmitri, and grandchildren Madison and Alexander Donskoy all of Prospect. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews: Linda, Laura, Joseph, Nancy, John Jr., Sherilynne, Kris and Gary, and two sisters in law Marilyn Vars and Carol Carter. He was predeceased by a son, Erik Benedict Stearns, who was only 10 years of age at the time, a brother John Stearns, a sister Shirley Castle, a nephew Benny and a niece Mary.

Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA. on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 11 am to 12pm with a memorial service immediately following at 12:30pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at All Faiths Cemetery, Worcester, MA. All are encouraged to wear masks. Donations may be made in Ralph’s honor to AIM at Melanoma foundation, www.aimatmelanoma.org. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online condolence for the Stearns family.