by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — After many years of service as a United States Trotting Association District Nine director and harness racing owner and breeder, Ronald E. Ralph will join the list of USTA directors who have been inducted into the New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame.

USTA photo

Ronald Ralph

The Waldoboro, Maine, businessman who took over businesses his father, Harold C. Ralph, started as far back as 1941, will join fellow directors Donald G. Marean, Paul A. Fontaine, Edward Callahan and William Faucher in the NE Hall.

The event takes place October 23 at the Courtyard Marriott in Marlborough, Mass., and Ralph will step to the podium to accept the Hall of Fame award, the chapter’s highest honor. Joining him is another Maine great, Freeman Parker, the late Del Cameron, William Ellis, Maine’s Diann Perkins, and Stan Gutkowski.

Not to be outdone by his father, Ralph’s son, Stephen, owns horses racing in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Maine.

Ronald Ralph is a 50-year Mason and longtime member of the Waldoboro Lions and Rockland Lodge of Elks.

Ed Holmes of Framingham, Mass., who has known Ralph for years, describes him thusly: “He’s the perfect gentleman. If you ever needed a favor he would be quick to do it for you.”

Holmes owned harness horses for 30 years and frequents Plainridge Racecourse.

Besides his son, Stephen, Ralph’s wife of 64 years, Clair, and daughter, Rhonda Conway, will be in attendance.

With his term up next year, Ralph may decide it’s time to move on from his director’s post. When and if he does he’ll take with him achievements few of us ever attain.