Ralph W. Peake, Jr.

BARRE TOWN - Ralph W. Peake, Jr., 90, passed away at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington, VT on Monday, March 25, 2019 surrounded by his loving family members.

Born October 31, 1928, he was the son of Ralph and Edith (Fuller) Peake, the eldest of six children; Howard, Arthur, Homer, Nancy, and Larry. He graduated from Spaulding High School in 1949.

On July 1, 1950 he married the love of his life, Doris Batchelder. Together they raised seven children, Larry, David, Beverly, Edward, Brian, Melissa, and Andrew. Doris passed away on March 8, 2015.  The couple made their home in Barre Town with the exception of a brief stay at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina when Ralph was stationed there at the beginning of their married life.

Ralph started work at Rock of Ages on April 27, 1950 and retired from there on August 2, 1993.

During his retirement years, Ralph enjoyed traveling with his family to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon and Alaska. Many winters he traveled the east coast to winter in Florida.

Ralph was loved by all and left a legacy to his children of being unassuming, modest and humble. A man who could see the good in everyone he met. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his boys.

His favorite love was his love of God. In 1959, he started an in-depth study of the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. In his quest for the truth about God and His purposes for mankind and the earth, the scripture at Matthew 6:9, 10, the Our Father prayer, “…let your name (Jehovah) be sanctified, let your Kingdom come let your will take place on the earth as it is in heaven…” took on a greater understanding to him. He realized God’s purpose is to bring about peaceful conditions to the earth like they are in heaven; that Revelation 21:3, 4, death and pain would be no more. This will be fulfilled through the rulership of Jesus Christ over the earth in the near future. This wonderful understanding set Ralph’s life course in action. He became baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Feb 10, 1962, dedicating his life to the telling of the Good News as Jesus has commissioned all of his followers to do in Matthew 28:19,20.

Ralph served as an elder in the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years, shepherding and encouraging all who knew him. He spent many hours in the door-to-door ministry sharing the wonderful hope of God’s Kingdom arrangement, the Good News, with all who would listen. For more information of the hope for the future Ralph shared please go to the website, JW.org. That will bring you to answers quite often asked by all, i.e., What is Man’s Purpose on the Earth, Why Does God Allow Suffering, and much more, including videos.

Ralph will be remembered for his love of Jehovah God and his deep love for his family and many others, as many individuals were cared for personally, as he and Doris opened their hearts and home to them.

Survivors include children, Larry Peake, David Peake, Beverly Page, Edward Peake, Brian Peake, Melissa Beede, and Andrew Peake; twelve grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; his siblings Homer Peake, Nancy Boardman, and Larry Peake.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Doris Peake; a great-grandchild; and his brothers Howard and Arthur Peake.

Ralph’s family wishes to thank all the individuals who personally supported him physically in the last few years of failing health. Thank you to all whom stopped in and showed him emotional support, even for a short visit, to let him know he was being thought about. That made his heart warm and gave him a happy smile. A special thanks to the UVM Medical Center in Burlington, specifically the Neurological Team on McClure 6, for really caring in the final days of Ralph’s life.

A special talk in behalf of Ralph will be given at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 2070 Airport Road, Berlin, VT on Saturday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. There are no calling hours.