Charles Joseph Ripple Sr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, with family by his side. He is joyfully reunited in Heaven with his loving wife of 70 years, Clare Ripple, who passed away in June of 2018. Charles was born February 23, 1925 in Baltimore, MD to Agnes (McCarthy) and John Ripple. He was a devoted father to Catherine Ripple Taylor (Gary) and Charles J. Ripple Jr. (Patricia), a loving grandfather to Christina Cavey (William), Annelle Ripple (Mark Lue), Jayson Marcarelli and Justin Marcarelli, and proud great-grandfather to Alexis and Anna Cavey. Along with his parents and wife, Charles was preceded in death by one Son in law Gary Taylor, siblings George, Robert, Bernard (Laura), John (Miriam), Mary and Agnes May (Robert). He is survived by one sibling Sister Mary Charia, SSND; many nieces, nephews and friends. Charles attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary, Clifton Park Junior High and Boy’s Vocational Schools in Baltimore. Charles worked for A&P Grocery store, Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co., and Crane Plumbing Company in Baltimore. He retired from Penco Corp. in Seaford, DE in 1990 after 28 years of dedication. Charles was drafted to the Army Air Corps in 1943 and went to Aircraft mechanics school in Gulfport Field, Mississippi. He proudly served in England with the 652nd Bomb Squadron Recon of the Eighth Air Force from 1943 until 1945. Charles remained an active member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Salisbury, MD, the Knights of Columbus Council #3489 where he was the last surviving charter member and he held many positions including Grand Knight, the Msgr. Mickle Assembly Fourth Degree holding many positions including Faithful Navigator, the Joseph House Golf Tournament Committee since 2005 which he was instrumental in forming. He served as Cubmaster of Pack #185, Scoutmaster of Troop #185, Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis de Sales, organizer of a late-night men’s bowling league, and organizer of the Tootsie Roll campaign benefitting people with intellectual disabilities at Dove Point, Holly Center and Lower Shore Enterprises. Charles received many awards including Diocesan Metal of Merit Award, Order of Merit by Delmarva Council of Boy Scouts, Golden Knight Award and Honorable Bowler of the year award. He loved God, His Country, Family, Friends and his Community. He was an avid golfer, card player, crafter, woodworker, bowler, and volunteer. Charles traveled to many U.S. continental states, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Europe and Canadian Rockies. The world is a better place because he was here. Father Christopher LaBarge will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 535 Riverside Drive, Salisbury, MD. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Memory Gardens in Hebron, MD. Family will receive friends Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Bounds Funeral Home, 705 East Main Street, Salisbury, MD from 6-8 pm with prayers at 7:30, and one hour prior to Mass on Friday at the church. Memorial donations can be made to Knights of Columbus, Council #3489, 1501 Emerson Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801; St. Francis de Sales Church, 514 Camden Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801; or The Joseph House, 411 N. Poplar Hill Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801 online by visiting www.thejosephhouse.org. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.boundsfuneralhome.com.
