Salem…..

Ralph C. Lapham, age 102, of Salem husband of the late Louise Swan (Dailey) Lapham (who was born in Beverly) of Salem died at the Kaplan Family Hospice House on Monday June 18, 2012.

Born in Salem the son of the late Louis Silas and Agnes Nora (Goodspeed) Lapham, he was raised and educated in Salem. Mr. Lapham attended local schools until he taking a job at the Hawthorne Hotel to help support his family. For a brief period of time he drove horses until moving to New York to become a concert singer.

His efforts as a concert singer earned him a radio spot in New York with his own show. After the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Lapham was drafted in 1943 to the United States Army on the European Theater of Operations. Following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Lapham established his own electronics and television repair business which he owned and operated for many years until his retirement.

He is survived by a daughter Linda Blanchard of Salem; two grandchildren Eric Blanchard of Salem and Scott Blanchard of Peabody, a sister Helen Lavoie of Saugus; a sister in law Dorothy Lapham of Augusta, ME, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by four brothers James, Herbert, William and John Lapham and three sisters Gertrude Lavoie, Harriet Funari and Edna Buchanan. Those who wish may make memorial contributions National Coalition for Homeless Veterans,
333 ½ Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003-1148.

Private funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem.