Ralph Lewis Holloway, renowned harness driver
Ralph Lewis Holloway, 92, of Frankford passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 5, 2018, after valiantly fighting Alzheimer's disease for over 15 years.
Born in Selbyville, Ralph resided in Frankford since his marriage to Eunice Holloway in 1948. Ralph graduated from Selbyville High School, class of 1943, and from Goldey-Beacom College, located in Wilmington.
Ralph was a navigator sergeant on the B-24 Liberator bomber for four years during World War II. After the war, he worked locally as an enrolled agent in tax accounting, as a farmer and a harness horseman.
Ralph's career in public service was extraordinary. It began when he was elected to the John M. Clayton school board in 1966. Ralph provided guidance to the board as the regional districts transitioned into the Indian River School District. Ralph was a member of and an honorary fireman at the Frankford Volunteer Fire Company, Station 76, for over 50 years.
Ralph was elected to the Frankford Town Council and he served as mayor during the 1970s and ‘80s, as the new Frankford water plant and sewer system were planned and built. Ralph provided leadership, and was elected as the first vice president of the Delaware Standard Bred Owners Association for over 20 years. Ralph was a member of Frankford United Methodist Church, a 32nd degree Mason at the Doric Lodge No. 30, Millville, and a Shriner at the Nur Shrine Temple in New Castle.
Ralph was perhaps best known as a consummate licensed standardbred harness horse breeder, owner, trainer and race driver in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for 45 years. He owned, developed and drove many popular harness horses on the local racing circuit that included: Lil's Ace, Doctor Yorkwood, Stephen York, Neilly York, Tax Trick, Perky Lad, Off the Cuff, Cancelled, Best of Both, Pocket's Secret, Call Me Dale and the Ocean Downs former track record holder in 1983, Convoy.
As a harness driver, he steered his way to hundreds of harness race victories at Ocean Downs, Georgetown Raceway, Rosecroft, Freestate, Harrington, Dover Downs, Brandywine and Liberty Bell Park.
He is survived by his son John Holloway; and brother, William Donald Holloway of Selbyville, and six nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Eunice P. Holloway in 2014.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 13, at 12:30 p.m., at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 43 Thatcher St., Frankford, where friends may call after 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Georgetown.
The family suggests flowers or donations in Ralph's memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 1250 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037 or www.alzfdn.org.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
