Ralph Francis

Ralph Francis, 61, of Haverhill, formerly of North Reading, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington after a brief illness.Born in Melrose, he was the son of the late, Ralph and Velma (Eldridge) Francis. He attended North Reading public schools and North Reading High School.A Vietnam veteran, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force.Mr. Francis was employed as a mechanic, working for local contractors in the Merrimack Valley area. He enjoyed cooking, cross bow hunting, and caring for his fish in his Koi pond.He leaves his son, Charles J. “CJ” Francis, of Haverhill a sister, Theresa Fuller, and her husband Gerald, of Winter Haven, Fla. a brother, Michael Francis and his wife Donna, of Sandown, N.H. close friends with whom he lived, Richard and Deanna Holsinger, of Haverhill and nieces and nephews.ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Route 125), Haverhill. Funeral services will be held following the period of visitation at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. A springtime burial with military honors will take place in the family lot in Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading. www.comeaufuneral.com.