Ralph Lawrence Staples

Ralph L. Staples, age 91, passed away of natural causes in his Bangor, ME, home on July 6, 2026. He was born on Aug. 11, 1934, in Brewer, the son of Isaac E. and Madeline N. (Renouf) Staples. Ralph graduated from Brewer High School in 1952, then joined the Naval Reserves and worked as an usher at the Bijou Theater in Bangor. In 1954 he joined the Army, where he completed Crane and Shovel Operator training on the island of Eta Jima, Japan, before deploying to South Korea for one year as part of the 538th Engineer Maintenance Company in the aftermath of the Korean War. He then returned to the United States and was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC, for the remainder of his three-year, active duty. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 3 (SP-3). Ralph subsequently held a variety of jobs at local businesses including Bangor Tallow Company, Eastern Fine Paper, Filene's, Macy's, and Hollywood Casino. 

Ralph's hobbies and talents over the years included jogging, camping, fishing, ice skating, square dancing, singing, playing spoons and harmonica, illustrating cartoons, and watching Westerns.

Ralph passed four years to the day after losing his beloved wife of 41 years, Elisabeth "Beth" (Holmes). During their long marriage, they enjoyed spending time with family and pets, people-watching at the Bangor Mall and Sam's Club, dining out (especially at Uno's), visiting the Maine coast, and practicing their Christian faith. Ralph kept up these traditions after Beth's passing and never lost his independence or ability to easily make friends with his warm smile and gentle, affable, lovable nature. He especially enjoyed sharing stories and making others laugh.

Ralph is survived by two children with Marilyn Staples of Scarborough, ME, Darren Staples of North Grafton, MA, and Deanna White of Gorham, ME, as well as a son, Matthew Brown, and his wife, Marci, of Bradenton, FL; two granddaughters, Isabella Staples of Holly Springs, NC, and Emma White of Gorham, ME; nephews, Bruce Staples, of Sidney, ME, Richard Staples, and his wife, Katharina, of Warren, ME, nieces, Deborah, and her husband, John Burns, of Buxton, ME, Carol Staples, of Thomaston, ME. Ralph also maintained special bonds with a sister-in-law, Maria Holmes, of Columbus, GA; and a nephew, Brian Lund, and his wife, Heather Zwickey, of Ranier, OR. In addition to his parents and spouse, Ralph was predeceased by three brothers, Robert E., Paul R., and Richard O. Staples; three sisters, Helen L. Bredesen, Dorothy A. Giles, and Carol E. Staples; a son, Daniel P. Staples; and a stepson, Christopher M. Gray.

Ralph chose not to have a memorial service. His ashes will be interred with military honors alongside Beth's at Southern Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Springvale later this year. To honor his memory, Ralph's family would appreciate donations in his name to Patriot Riders of Maine, Chapter 3 or Blood Cancer United.