Obituary of Ralph W. Fagner

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Ralph William Fagner passed away on October 18, 2024. Born to the late Ralph G. and Marion Fagner, Ralph was affectionately known as “Ralphie” by his wife, family and friends, and later as “Grandpa” and “Pappa” by his five beloved grandchildren. Ralph was born in Woburn, MA and lived his entire childhood in Burlington, MA raised by his loving parents. As a teen, Ralph deeply enjoyed spending time with his horses and competing in 4-H competitions. He treasured spending time with his parents, two brothers, Jon and Gregory, and all of their cousins on both sides of his family whether at his home, theirs, or up at Lake Winnisquam in NH. At the age tender age of 16, Ralph met his lifelong sweetheart, Jane Fridolin, and they married seven years later in 1971. From that time onward, he was a full-time resident of Woburn, MA. Their love was an unbreakable bond and they built a beautiful life together filled with love and laughter, centered upon family and friends. Ralph took great pride in his role as husband, father, and grandfather. He also held his cousins and dear friends close to his heart. Ralph loved to be surrounded by his treasured family, especially his wife Jane, daughter Carrie Pykett and her husband Mark, his son Joshua Fagner and his wife Christina, and all of his five grandchildren, Hannah, Gregory, Jack, Grace, and Tom. Ralph placed great value on showing up for his family, whether at his children’s then grandchildren’s sporting events, award ceremonies, graduations, weddings, any life events, or simply to gather for a shared meal and playing a game. Ralph had the gift of listening and enjoyed conversing with all he encountered. He had that special gift of making you feel like you were the only person in the room. Ralph ran a successful “food truck” catering business for well over forty years, missing only one day of work in all that time. Ralph worked to create new and delicious food to nourish his clients and he was held in high regard by all of them. Ralph’s genuine kindness and care had a ripple effect on those who were blessed to know him. In his spare time, when not with family, he enjoyed working on and refurbishing old vehicles. His last one, a 1955 Ford Pick-up truck, brought him much joy. Ralph worked hard and instilled in his children an excellent work ethic and taught them to always give 110% to whatever they were involved in. He also believed in and taught them to make family a priority and to carve out time to enjoy and celebrate life. Early on, he and his wife Jane would enjoy a weekly date night, whether alone or with friends, and they would open their home for annual Memorial Day barbeques, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners, and countless other delicious, homemade dinner nights for family and friends. Ralph took his family away on their annual August vacation at Hampton Beach inviting dear friends and family to join them for a visit. Ralph knew the meaning of living in the moment. He genuinely cared for others and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Ralph also never complained. Even when he was deeply ill, he would rather know how you were doing. Ralph continued to nurture his family, friends, the doctors, nurses, and caretakers all the way until the day the good Lord brought him home. Ralph’s unwavering devotion and love for his family and dear friends, his courage and inner strength, and his example of treating others the way you want to be treated are only a few examples of his legacy that will continue to live on through his family and friends. Ralph is survived by his beloved wife, Jane, his children Carrie and Joshua, son-in-law Mark, daughter-in-law Christina, and his adored grandchildren Hannah, Gregory, Jack, Grace, and Tom. He is also survived by his beloved brother Jon, many cherished cousins, and dear friends. A graveside service will be held at the Woodbrook Cemetery, 100 Salem St., Woburn on Thursday, October 24 at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, Ralph would have wanted and his family hopes you might consider making a donation to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 (dana-farber.org/gift) in honor of Ralph’s brave battle. Rest in peace, Ralphie, your love and treasured wisdom will live on in all of us forever. Arrangements by the Graham Funeral Home, Woburn.