Ira Ralph Atticks III, piano tuner

Ira Ralph Atticks III, 69, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Ralph was born in Fishing Creek Village, Harrisburg, Pa., and moved to Glenn Dale, Md., at the age of 4. He graduated from High Point High School and attended Wesley College. After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, Ralph married Therese Gillespie in 1968. They raised their son Kevin in Bowie, Md., where Ralph worked for C&P Telephone and Onan Generator before tuning pianos as a trade. He married Janet Thomas in 2002, and worked at St. Pius X Church and School until his retirement. The two then moved to Lewes in 2012.

Ralph was an enthusiastic tennis player, a lover of the outdoors and craft projects. He was an avid kayaker and at various times was known for rebuilding pianos, shaping snowy egrets from construction materials and building tree houses and ponds. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Chapter.

Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Ira Ralph Atticks Jr.; his mother, June Harm Atticks; and a sister, Judith Peebles. He is survived by his wife, Janet Thomas; a son, Kevin Atticks and wife Andrea; a stepson, Brad Thomas and wife Katie; a stepdaughter Lora Jones and husband Will; two grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, at 11 a.m., at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Bowie. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew's United Methodist Church.