Donald E. Ridley

Donald E. Ridley, P.E., age 84 years died in his Walpole, Massachusetts home on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Born in Auburn, New York on July 19, 1927, he was the son of the late John and Grace (Day) Ridley. He graduated from Port Byron Central School in Port Byron, NY, in 1944 and continued his education at the New York State Maritime Academy graduating in 1947. Mr. Ridley earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1953 and his Master degree from Northeastern University in 1963. He also participated in the Senior Executive Program at the MIT Sloan School in the Fall of 1975. He has been a resident of Walpole, Massachusetts for the past 52 years moving there from Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Ridley proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War.

He was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Bird-Johnson Company when he retired in 1988 after 32 years of service.

After retiring, he volunteered at the Kendall Whaling Museum (now the New Bedford Whaling Museum) for almost 20 years contributing to scrimshaw research and maritime historical documentation. He became a scrimshaw forensics specialist and was an original collaborator in founding the Scrimshaw Forensics Laboratory at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

He was an avid learner and educator who had the grace to teach and impart his knowledge on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His teenage granddaughter once wrote "his tremendous wisdom and true compassion, not only make him worthy of my admiration, but secures a spot in my heart as my role model and my idol".

Beloved husband of the late Aileen M. (Cox) Ridley. Loving father of Catherine Ridley of Mansfield, Aileen Miller of Marietta, GA , John Ridley of Rosamond, CA, Donald E. Ridley, II of Milford, Ct , and Ellen Bailey of Walpole. Cherished grandfather of 11 and great grandfather of 2.

All services are private at the request of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home Walpole.