TURNER — Ralph Elton Conant, 77 of Turner passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 12, at his home.

Ralph was born July 17, 1941, son of John Carleton and Gladys Conant of Canton. He graduated from Canton High School, Class of 1959 and served as president of his class. He played basketball all four years and was active in 4-H along with his entire family. He participated in many agricultural activities at fairs and traveled to many places through the 4-H organization. Ralph worked in the maintenance department as a pipefitter and maintenance analyst at Jay’s International Paper Company for 37½ years before retirement.

After retirement, he wintered in Arizona where he spent most of his days playing shuffleboard. He was a fierce competitor and organized many tournaments. He accumulated many friends and first-place trophies on the shuffleboard court in the Mesa, Ariz., region. In February, he was awarded the distinguished Arizona District IV President’s Trophy for his accomplishments, contribution and dedication to the shuffleboard community.

Ralph enjoyed putting his handyman skills to work for many friends and family members. No job or work ever intimidated him and he enjoyed helping others with their projects. Some of his free time was also spent helping on the family farm when needed. He spent many hours working on, remodeling and enjoying his son’s cottage on Great Pond in Rome. Ralph was an avid and loyal Boston sports fan and watched and listened to as many Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots games as he could. Ralph enjoyed owning and stabling standardbred race horses and going to the fair tracks with friends. He mostly liked watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, playing card games and board games with friends and family, camping on the Maine coast during the summer months, coaching baseball, playing softball and snowmobile riding. Helping and being with family and friends mattered most to Ralph. Ralph was a 50-year member of the Nezinscot Masonic Lodge No. 0101 in Turner.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Beverly (Richardson) Conant of Turner, his son, Rick, and wife, Monica, of Winthrop, their sons Jordan and Ryan and daughter Allie and his daughter Rhonda Senger and husband Peter of Yarmouth and their sons Connor and Colin. Siblings Olive Dubord of Jay, Norris Conant of Canton, Duane Conant and his wife Betty of Canton, Ann Allen and her husband Gene of Jay and George Conant and his wife Patricia of Gloucester, Mass., sisters-in-law JoAnne Conant of Sun City, Ariz., and Jeannette Conant of Auburn; cousin Lola Sayer of Canton; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Clinton and Clifford Conant; sister, Lucille Conant; brother-in-law, Eugene Dubord; and sister-in-law, Jackie Conant.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Visiting hours will be Thursday, Sept. 20, from 4-7 p.m. and a celebration of his life Friday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at Finley Funeral Home 15, Church St. in Livermore. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to either Maine 4-H Foundation, York Complex #1, Orono, ME 04469; or to Turner Rescue, 11 Turner Center Rd., Turner, ME 04282.

Ralph E. Conant