Deacon Ralph Frederick Cox

Deacon Ralph Frederick Cox of Yarmouth Port, formerly of East Dennis, passed away on May 18, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was 99 years of age. Born in Readville, MA, the son of the late Edward Cox, Sr. and Hilda (Kunkel) Cox, Deacon Cox graduated from Hyde Park High School and after his military service he went onto Babson College where he earned a degree in Business Administration.

A World War II veteran, he served as a Captain in the Army with the 90th Infantry Division and participated in the D-Day landing in Normandy. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor for his service and in 2006, on the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, he was honored as a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. Following his active duty and upon return to the US he was in the Army Reserve. It was during his time in the military in 1943 in New Jersey that he met his future wife Eleanor to whom he was married for 57 years.

Ralph’s business career in the printing industry began in the Philadelphia area, continued to West Springfield, MA, Trenton, NJ and then to Houston, TX as President of the Hibbert-Southern Company. During those years he was active in many industry organizations. In semi-retirement he was Executive Director of the Texas Printing Education Foundation and taught classes in graphic arts at the University of Houston.

During his twenty-five years in Houston his Catholic faith deepened and he became more attuned to ecumenical and social justice concerns. After seminary study he was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in 1987. He served on the staff of Prince of Peace Catholic Community in northwest Houston for nine years. He volunteered with several organizations, particularly at Casa Juan Diego serving immigrants, refugees and the poor.

In retirement on Cape Cod Deacon Cox was on the staff at Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich for twenty-seven years. As part of his ministry he worked tirelessly to serve the community and those in need. He volunteered with Overnights of Hospitality, in nursing home ministry at Eagle Pond Rehabilitation, and offered weekend spiritual retreats at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility. He also served on the Board of Holy Trinity School and conducted classes there in sacramental preparation. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree.

He served on the Board of the Cape Cod Council of Churches, chaired the Affordable Housing Commission for the Town of Dennis for several years, and in 2008 he received the John Hinkley Community Services Award from the Salvation Army. His ministry continued until the final year of his life. He was a long-time member of the Dennis golf courses, playing happily into his late 90’s, after first caddying at age 14 at Boston-area golf courses

His beloved wife Eleanor (Connelly) Cox pre-deceased him. He was the brother of the late Edward Cox, Jr., Walter Cox, and twin brother Robert Cox. He is survived by his daughter Carolyn Lyons Sartory and her husband Thomas Sartory of Yarmouth Port, son Ralph Cox, Jr. and his wife Debra of Colleyville, TX, daughter Cynthia Cox-Roman and her husband Peter Roman of Washington, DC, and grandchildren Jessica Jinkins (Ben), Matthew Cox (Lily), and Madeline Cox, great-granddaughter Evelyn Jinkins, and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Main Street (Route 28), West Harwich. He will then lie in state on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9:00 am to 10:45 am followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Burial, with military honors, alongside his wife will immediately follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Pine Street, Centerville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Deacon Cox’s memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Trinity Church, P.O Box 682, West Harwich, MA 02671.