Ralph Allen Gardner's Obituary
Ralph Allen Gardner, age 71, of Lewes, DE, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones. He was born September 19, 1937 in Philadelphia, PA, son of the late Harry and Margaret (Steer) Gardner.
Mr. Gardner was a Philadelphia fireman for 27 years. Following his retirement from the fire department, he worked for 11 years at Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, as a maintenance man and in the Fire Safety Department. He was an avid supporter of the fire department his entire life. He enjoyed working crossword puzzles, he was interested in astronomy, and he was a news junkie who was hooked on CNN.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lillian Boyle Gardner; a son Paul Francis Gardner and his partner Trent Greenwald of Tampa, FL; a daughter Christy Lynn Sweeney and her husband John W. of Newark, DE; three grandchildren, Shane, Colin and Noel Sweeney; three brothers, Robert Gardner and his partner Jim Conyers of Alva, FL, Ronald Gardner and his wife Barbara of Philadelphia, PA, and Russell Gardner and his wife Frances of Ft. Myers, FL; a sister, Ruth Nagle and her husband Bill formerly of Philadelphia, PA; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Gardner of Philadelphia, PA wife of his deceased brother Richard Gardner.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008, 11:00 AM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 1. Interment will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 1151 Walker Road, Suite 202, Dover, DE 19901.
Send online condolences to: [email protected]
PDF Printable Version
What’s your fondest memory of Ralph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ralph?
Share a story where Ralph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ralph you’ll never forget.
How did Ralph make you smile?