Ralph J. Busson died at his home on May 8, following recent heart surgery.

He was born in Doylestown on Sept. 27, 1918, to Edward and Emma (Haller) Busson, the fourth of 11 children. Following graduation from Doylestown High School, he worked for the B.F. Goodrich Co., and served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper during World War II. Ralph jumped into combat on D-Day and fought in Holland and at the Battle of the Bulge.

Ralph was a loving husband to Eloise (Hummel), whom he married on June 1, 1946. Together they were the proud parents of five daughters, Ann (Dale) Youngblood, Alice (Bob) Rote, Mary Kay (Jody) Hajek, and Laurie (John) Farlow, all of Doylestown, and Jane (Kerry) Cullin of Lodi. He was a wonderful grandfather to Dale Jr, Matt, and Katy Youngblood, Mike, Shannon, and Marie Rote, Karen, Ken, Beth and Mary Jo Hajek, Jennifer and Jon Musgrave and Kipp Cullin. A grandson, Zachary Cullin, died in 1996. He is also survived by his sisters, Rita Hunsicker and Rosemary (James) Jenkins of Doylestown, and by brothers Harold (Buck) and Bill of Doylestown, Robert of Marshallville and Pat of Barberton. His parents, sister, Claire Savage and brothers, Frank, Paul and Don, preceded him in death.

Ralph was an outstanding athlete at Doylestown High School. He continued playing sports in the Army and played in the first American baseball game ever played in England. He was an avid farmer. After retiring from the B.F. Goodrich Co. in 1976, he served two terms as a Chippewa Township Trustee. He continued to be active in the 82nd Airborne Association. Each year he hosted a pig roast that was attended by 82nd veterans from around the country. He was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Doylestown, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Holy Name Society. He was a member and a past Commander of the Doylestown Legion Post and belonged to Barberton Post of V.F.W.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Celebrant Fr. David McCarthy. Burial at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Zak-Monbarren Funeral Home in Doylestown. Rosary will be recited Sunday at 7 p.m. A military graveside service will be conducted. Ralph had requested that memorial contributions be made to: Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, c/o Organ Fund or to the 82nd Airborne Education Fund.(Zak-Monbarren, 658-2211.)

(Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, 9 May 1997, Page E11 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)