Ralph Lowell Norteman

Ralph Lowell Norteman, 85, of Elmwood Street, North Attleboro, died peacefully at his residence on Saturday, December 31, 2011 as he was surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Barbara Jean (Ingraham) Norteman who died on April 24, 1988. Born in North Attleboro, Massachusetts on October 8, 1926, he was a son of the late Harry L. Norteman, Sr. and Laura (Christian) Norteman. He graduated from North Attleboro High School with the Class of 1944. Mr. Norteman enlisted in the United States Navy on September 21, 1944 and served honorably until his discharge on October 18, 1946. He achieved the rank of Aviation Electricians Mate. He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from the former Bryant College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1949. Mr. Norteman was employed by the former New England Telephone Company, later NYNEX and Verizon, as an advertising account representative until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the Charles River Masonic Lodge AF & AM in West Medway. He will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humor. A lover of words and a great storyteller, he could always be counted on to come up with a memorable phrase for any occasion. He enjoyed comedy, especially vaudeville in his younger days as well as movies and British comedies. He had a great fondness for animals, especially dogs. Music, particularly ragtime and Dixieland jazz, was a great love of his. Creating lifelong memories to cherish at the family cottage in Maine during the summer months were most precious to him. He leaves his children: Karen Norteman and her companion, Gregory Hall, of Alfred, ME; Nancy Patton and her husband, Scott Patton, of Stow, MA; Joyce Norteman of North Attleboro and Eric Norteman and his wife, Catherine (Gorman) Norteman, of North Attleboro; his grandchildren: Emily and Maxwell Norteman of North Attleboro; a brother: Harry L. Norteman, Jr. of North Attleboro and several extended family members and dear friends. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Thursday, January 5, 2011 from 4:00 7:00 PM in the Memorial Chapel of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the Funeral Service on Friday, January 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Memorial Chapel of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with Chaplain Gretchen Robinson of the Community VNA Hospice, Attleboro, officiating. Burial will be private in Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, North Attleboro. Childrens room available during visitation and the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 808, Hudson, MA 01749-0808 or to the Community VNA Hospice Care, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online register book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.