Ralph John Boland, Hermitage, passed away peacefully in his home Sunday (3-6-11) morning with family at his side with the support of Sharon Regional Hospice. Ralph passed away after a two year battle with both Head and Neck Cancer. He was 64.

Ralph was born in Pittsburgh on January 24, 1947 and was adopted at the age of one by his parents John and Isabelle Moore Boland.

He graduated from St. Joseph's Parochial School and was a member of Sharon High School's graduating class of 1964. He matriculated to Youngstown State University where he had earned his B S degree in Business Administration in 1968. He worked at the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation while in both high school and college. In his youth Ralph enjoyed many sports activities and had fond memories of events at the F. H. Buhl Club, Sharon. He also enjoyed a good Texas Hold ' em Game and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He married the former Judith R. Goral in 1970 and together they moved to New Jersey where the lived for five years so that Ralph could fulfill his obligation to the United States Marine Corp. He was stationed in Philadelphia and later gained employment with the Rite- Aid Corporation as a manager of their stores in the New Jersey area.

After returning to the Valley in 1975, he worked for Suzuki of Sharon before taking on a supervisor's position in Quality Control at the former GATX in Masury, OH. GATX closed in 1984 and he gained employment for a short time with Amweld Building Supplies in OH. Trinity Industries in Greenville later hired him for the same position he had held at GATX. He also worked for Greenville Steel Car and Youngstown Steel Door. He was an active member of the American Legion post 299, Sharon, and was a past Sr. Vice Commander, passed board member, and a familiar face that will be sadly missed by his many friends who loved and admired him.

He is survived by his wife Judith R. Boland at home, his son Jeremy S. Boland, Boston, his sister Barbara Leonetti, North Royalton, OH, two sister in laws, and three nephews.

At the request of his family, memorial contributions may be sent in Ralph's memory to the American Cancer Society 3208 suite B Wilmington Rd New Castle, Pennsylvania 16105, or to the American Legion Post 299 Sharon 1395 E. State St. Sharon, Pa. 16146, or to the charity of the donor's Choice.

Enjoy today as it was once yesterday-a gift yet to be-before it becomes tomorrow-a memory of what could have been. The family encourages everyone to say what needs to be said to a loved one, today.

Calling hours and service: At Ralph's request, there will be no viewing.

The family will accept friends and family from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (3-9-11) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon, a memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.