Ralph Walter Staples

Ralph Walter Staples, 92, a long-time resident of Canton, died peacefully in his home on
February 18, 2026. Ralph and his twin brother Russell, who died as an infant, were born
on July 14, 1933, on Onset Island. The two of them are the only known island natives to
date. Ralph graduated from the Boston Trade School having learned the trade of
printing. Ralph had a variegated career. After his apprenticeships at the Mount
Washington Hotel and the Canton Journal, he served as a travelling repairman for the
Ludlow Typograph company and a typesetter for the Christian Science Monitor. For
decades he ran his own printshop, Top Notch Press, out of his Wardwell Road
basement. Ralph was an active member of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist
Church of Canton and Blue Hill Lodge of Canton. Ralph was a “mason’s mason,” and
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts recognized his deep commitment to the fraternal
organization in awarding him the Joseph Warren Service Medal in 1997. For many
years Ralph belonged to the Canton Town Club and the Canton Senior Center played a
key role in supporting Ralph in his later years. Ralph enjoyed travelling the world with
his wife, Lillian, summering at the rustic cottage he built in New Hampshire, playing
cribbage, searching for bargains at yard sales, and spending time with family.
Ralph is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Lillian Jennison Staples, his brothers
Robert and Russell Staples, and his sister Dorothy Gay. Ralph is survived by his loving
daughters Susan Grace Staples of Fort Worth, Texas and Carol Ann Seaman of
Attleboro, and their husbands Ze-Li Dou and Donald G. Seaman Jr. Ralph was the
proud grandfather of Linden, Jennessa, and Michaela Seaman, and Katherine and
William Dou.
Visiting hours will be held at the Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman St.
Canton Friday, March 13, 4PM to 7PM. A private burial will take place following the
memorial service celebrating his life. The service will be held Saturday, March 14 at the
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 1508 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021 at
11AM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ralph’s memory to the First Parish
Unitarian Universalist Memorial Fund, Blue Hill Lodge Scholarship Fund, or the Canton
Senior Center.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist-Canton
Memorial Fund
1508 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Blue Hill Lodge Scholarship Fund
c/o Mr. Peter Sulfaro, Jr.
25 Simpson Street
Stoughton, MA 02072-2328
Canton Senior Center
500 Pleasant Street
Canton, MA 02021

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