On December 22, 2017 Ralph Paight passed away. A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather he leaves behind many friends and family who were drawn to his kind and outgoing nature.

Born on April 6, 1923 and raised in Stamford, CT, Ralph graduated from Stamford High School and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942-46. He was a proud Marine who witnessed the invasion of Normandy and the raising of the American flag over Iwo Jima while serving on the USS Texas. One of his greatest joys was participating in the October 2014 Southeast Florida Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was a humble man who was greatly touched by the outpouring of gratitude by so many civilians and military personnel.

He was married to his high school sweetheart Dorothy (Dotty) Battersby for 71 yrs. They lived in Stamford, CT but enjoyed many winters in their Palm City, FL home before making it their full-time residence in '85.

Ralph worked at Remington Rand Corporation and Conde Nast prior to beginning his newspaper career with the Greenwich Times in 1951. He quickly worked his way up from apprentice pressman to foreman and after 20 years with the Times joined the staff of the Stamford Advocate for another 15 years.

Ralph had a passion for boating and made life long friends through the Halloween Yacht Club in Stamford. Ralph and his father built his first boat, a Bristol 16, from a kit and later completely rebuilt a fire damaged 30 foot Chris Craft cruiser he named the "Dotty". Many wonderful family vacations were spent cruising the waters of Long Island Sound.

Ralph is survived by his children Donald Paight (Nina) and Donna Ackermann (Alan), four grandchildren Steve Ackermann (Andrea), Kelly Ackermann, Chris Paight, Kathryn Paight Randall (John) and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife Dotty, parents Ruth and Dewey Paight and sister Doris Leydon.

The family would like to thank the staff at Treasure Coast Hospice for their compassionate care and his many friends at Allegro and in the Osprey Creek neighborhood for their friendship and support. The family extends a special thanks to his life-long friend Erwin Ferber, who never missed a weekly visit or phone call. Memorial contributions can be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, Stuart, FL. A private family service of internment with a military honor guard will be held at the South Florida National Cemetery.

A celebration of Ralph's life, for his family and friends, will be held on January 18, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Manero's Restaurant, 2851 SW High Meadow Ave, Palm City, FL .

"Loved ones may leave us, but love stays with us."