D. Ralph Whiterell, 98
D. Ralph Whiterell, 98, of Mattapoisett passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025 peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Barbara A. (Cox) Whiterell.
Born and raised in Worcester, MA, son of the late John and Cora (Gaulin) Whiterell, he lived in Mattapoisett for most of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church.
Ralph served honorably in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
He was a graduate of Clark University in Worcester.
Ralph was formerly self-employed as an accountant for many years until his retirement.
He was a long-time member of the Mattapoisett Lions Club and The Bay Club.
Ralph enjoyed golfing, sailing, skiing, reading, gardening and watching sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
He is survived by three daughters, Susan Soares and her husband Paul of South Dartmouth, MA, Deborah Wheeler and her husband Jim of Beverly, MA, and Laura Lemos and her husband Jaime of Hollis, NH; eight grandchildren, David Soares and his wife Katie, Jeffrey Soares, Alex Wheeler, Emily Wheeler and her husband Ben Stanford, Sam Wheeler and his wife Sarah, Justin Lemos, Sydney Lemos, and Madison Lemos; three great-grandchildren, John, James, and Elsie Soares; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his six siblings, Roland Whiterell, Ludger Whiterell, Irving Whiterell, Edward Whiterell, Edith Grenier, and Florence Berry.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 10:30am at St. Anthony's Church, 26 Hammond St., Mattapoisett, with everyone invited to meet directly at the Church. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory may be made to the Veterans Transition House, 1297 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
