Ralph F. 'Duke' Hodgson

PITTSTON-Ralph F. “Duke” Hodgson, Sr., 87, of Brooks Estates, Pittston, formerly of Wilkes-Barre and Back Mountain, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the United Methodist Homes, Wesley Village Campus, Pittston. Born in Plymouth on June 14, 1924, he was the son of the late Ralph H. and Margaret F. Hodgson. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division, 505 PIR, and participated in the invasion of France on D-Day. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he received in France. After World War II, he attended Bucknell Junior College in Wilkes-Barre (now Wilkes University) and received his degree from Bucknell College. Later in life, he earned a Masters Degree in Social Work (MASW) from the University of Pennsylvania. He worked in various social work positions for 30 years and retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare where he was the Director of Field Operations for the Office of Mental Retardation in the Northeast Regional Office. He was a member of the Daddow-Isaacs American Legion Post 672, Dallas. He was also a member of the North Branch, Upper Susquehanna Quakers. He was a 50 year member of F&AM Lodge 332, Plymouth and Caldwell Consistory. As an active member of the Irem Temple Shrine, he was a past president of the Arab Patrol, a past president of the Chanters and a past president of the Wilkes-Barre Shrine Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rita Duffy. Ralph was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, the former Margaret “Peggy” Ashman; his son, Ralph F. Hodgson, Jr. of North Brunswick, NJ; 3 grandchildren, Gregory, Michael and Julie Hodgson; 2 nephews, Edmund and Richard Duffy. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and the community at large. Friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 465 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment with military honors will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in Laurel Cemetery, Church St., White Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Irem Shriner’s Hospital Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 307 Dallas, PA 18612-0307. The Irem Transportation Fund arranges and pays for the transportation of children to the various Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.