Lynn, formerly of Salem …

Ralph B. Drinkwater, III, age 78, husband of Nancy A. (Correnti) Drinkwater with whom he shared 56 years of marriage , more recently of Lynn formerly of Salem , died Thursday evening July 28, 2011 at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem surrounded by his loving family.


A resident of Salem for most of his life, he was born in Salem the son of the late Ralph and Alice M. (Murphy) Drinkwater, Jr. He attended the Bowditch School and was a member of the Salem High School, Class of 1951. Mr. Drinkwater began serving the country as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard during his high school years. Upon his graduation he continued serving the country. Mr. Drinkwater was promoted to Sergeant in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. While on leave and at home, he has met his (future) wife at a dance. Once he was finally home they had a whirlwind romance, married and began their family.

While his wife stayed home and raised their family, Mr. Drinkwater was employed as a construction worker for Volpe Construction on several projects including the Salem Power Plant. Mr. Drinkwater later became employed for over 30 years by the US Postal Service. He began his postal career as a letter carrier in Salem and had retired as the Payroll Clerk in Salem and Lynn.


Mr. Drinkwater enjoyed being involved in family and community activities. He coached both Salem Little League Baseball for the Eagles and Mets as well as Midget Football for the Steelers. He had continued working (part time) for the City of Salem as a Crossing Guard at Salem's Witch Craft Heights School (while his granddaughter was a student) as well as at Horace Mann School on Loring Ave. A professional magician, he was also a former member and President of the American Society of Magicians Local 104.


In addition to his wife, Mr. Drinkwater is survived by five children; William and his wife Catherine Drinkwater of Salem, Ann Marie Penni and her husband Robert of Lynn, Ralph and his wife Sheila Drinkwater of Trenton, NC, John and his wife Deborah Drinkwater of Las Vegas, NV and USMC Retired First Sergeant Mark Drinkwater and his wife Theresa of Fredericksburg, VA ;16 grandchildren William Jr, Jason, Nancy, Krysten, Nicole, Mark II, Nathaniel, Briana, Sarah, Matthew, Julia, Michael, Hailey, Jayden,Dana and Alexis; five great grandchildren Ashley, Olivia, Mishela, Jason and Matthew and his two little friends Gus and Lily.


His funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 9:15 AM from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal ST (cor of North ST) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St James Church, 160 Federal ST., Salem, MA 01970. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Interment will be in St Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 . For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.