Ralph Edward Cable, 96, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Warren Memorial Hospital.
A memorial service will take place at 4 P.M. on June 1, 2024 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 132 N Royal Ave, Front Royal, Virginia 22630 with the Reverend Valerie Hayes officiating. Following the service the family will have a private inurnment in the Calvary Memorial Garden, then meet for a celebration Dinner.
Ralph was born on April 13, 1927 in Derby, Connecticut to the late Frederick and Ethel Cable. He was also preceded by his daughter, Linda Daley; and his eight siblings.
Surviving Ralph are his loving wife, Sally B. Cable; his daughters, Alice Weinreb of Canal Fulton, OH, Carol Cable of Front Royal, and Janice Derico of Ducktown, TN; his five grandsons; and his three great-grandchildren.
Ralph was a proud member of the United States Navy and served on the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. He was also a member of Calvary Episcopal Church, the American Legion Giles B. Cook Post 53, and a vestry member.
Ralph was very involved with his church, the Senior Center, and C-CAP; and would often make pasta sauce, soup, and chili for the church and community meals. His friends would often say that his chili was by far the hottest, and would have trouble eating it.
For 20 years, Ralph ran a dairy farm in Lafayette Township in Chippewa Lake, Ohio until 1978. While there, he was very involved with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Medina County, Ohio.
Ralph’s main career was a food inspector; he learned how while he was working with Smucker’s in Ohio in 1968. He then got his certification and kept working as a food inspector for the USDA for 25 years until he retired. Following his “retirement” he would still assist as a food inspector on occasion.
Ralph also started playing harmonica when he was 64 years old. He played harmonica for 30 years with the Rusty Strings Band, but he would also play for anyone at any time. When someone had a birthday, Ralph would whip out his harmonica and play for them right on the spot.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to C-CAP at 400 Kendrick Ln, Front Royal, VA 22630 and to the Warren County Senior Center at 1217 Commonwealth Ave, Front Royal, VA 22630
I can remember Ralph as a young child when I attended Calvary Episcopal Church. As a young adult I got to know Ralph very well, and he shared his love of gardening and gardening secrets with me. Back when we had an active congregation, Ralph would bring his garden surplus to the parish hall. My mother always loved his Swiss chard. When I started my large garden in 2020 during the pandemic, Ralph gave me a lot of pointers and I started planning Swiss chard and pimento peppers. I will keep the seeds he gave me into the future. It will be my remembrance of Ralph every spring and summer.
He also tried for two years to get me to learn the harmonica, which was an exercise futility. Every Wednesday morning, following 7 AM church, Ralph, myself, and a few others to include Gen. George Rutter would wash and dry dishes following breakfast. We would clean the kitchen. Whenever the men of Calvary had an event, Ralph was always there to help lead the Kitchen brigade. I will miss my friend. I pray that you rise with the angels and light perpetual shine up on you always.