Staples, Ralph W.

Ralph Walter Staples, 92, a longtime 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 traveling 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 Street, on Friday, March 13, from 4-7 p.m. A private burial will take place following the memorial service celebrating his life. The service will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 1508 Washington Street in Canton. 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.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Feb 26 2026. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.