Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Ralph T. Tonks, age 91, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026.
Born on February 17, 1935, in Melrose, MA, Ralph was the cherished son of the late Alfred and Mary (Perry) Tonks. He was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School.
Following his graduation, Ralph enlisted in the United States Navy on September 2, 1954. He proudly served his country as an electrician and, after four years of dedicated service, was honorably discharged on August 8, 1958, returning home to his family.
Ralph met the love of his life, Phyllis J. (Woodman) Tonks, as a teenager while attending a youth group. From the moment they met, they were inseparable, sharing a deep and enduring bond. Together they settled in Wilmington, where they raised their three children: Brenda, Paul, and Diana.
Ralph worked for over twenty years as a maintenance technician at Transitron. Known for his knowledge and skill, he could fix just about anything. He truly enjoyed his work and built lasting friendships with many of his co-workers.
Ralph had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He found joy in sitting in the sun in his backyard, working in his yard, and tending to his garden. He also enjoyed taking daily walks, often heading to the plaza or visiting the cemetery to spend time near his beloved Phyllis, who passed away in 2015.
A devoted Boston sports fan, Ralph especially loved the Red Sox and the Patriots. He treasured watching games with family and friends. He also enjoyed occasional trips to the casino, where he liked trying his luck on various games.
Ralph will be remembered as a kind, loving, and patient man. Though he was a man of few words, when he spoke, his words carried meaning and were always worth listening to. He cherished his many friendships and always looked forward to visits from those he held dear.
Ralph was the beloved husband of the late Phyllis J. (Woodman) Tonks, devoted father of Brenda Crowley & her late husband Jim of Wilmington, Paul Tonks & his wife Donna of Ayer, and Diana Fraser of Wilmington, loving “Pa” of Kenny, Timmy, Christine & her husband Mark, Robyn, Tyler & his wife Kaley, Evie, Katie, Tyler, and Melanie, “Great-Pa” to Aidan, Kiera, Millie, Jake, Piper, Ian, Jace, Jett and Micah. Ralph was the dear brother of the late Robert Tonks, Marilyn Williams, and Richard Tonks and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for Visitation at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Avenue (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Monday, April 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00 noon. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington.
Memorial donations in Ralph’s name may be made to Local Heroes, P.O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.
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