Ralph P. Poirier, Sr.

Poirier, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2023 in Woonsocket, RI among loving family after a long and fulfilling life.

Ralph was born in Pawtucket, RI on October 18, 1939.

He was raised by his mom and aunt, working to support his family from a young age.

With a certain knack for numbers and a keen understanding of mechanics, he found the lifelong passion of working on cars by the age of fifteen.

He knew he met the love his life when he met Sharon Martins - naming the first car he ever built Miss Sharon.

They would go on to spend sixty-five loving years with each other - travelling the country in their camper, visiting friends along the way, and building a life they loved to live.

Ralph and Sharon brought three children into the world – Ralph, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, Christine Nolan and her husband, Stephen, and Rob.

The kids were raised with unwavering values, good hearts, and an abundance of cross-country vacations, learning everything they could from their parents and growing up to make them proud.

Ralph was hardworking.

His days at Tasca Ford were busy, and his nights at the Gulf Station garage were filled with loyal customers coming in with troubling car issues and leaving with a new best friend.

Providing valuable advice and plenty of laughs, he quickly became an unofficial governor of the racetrack.

Chasing his love of speed, he eventually won several national events with Tasca Racing.

He had become a drag race legend, ultimately being inducted into the New England Dragway Hall of Fame.

He once said, “I’m not a big shot, I am just an old man who’s enjoying himself”.

There was no better day for him then spending time with his friends watching their cars fly down the track.

There was no role that he took more seriously than being “Papa”.

His grandkids Shannon, Maddie, Casey, Patrick, Jon, Ellie, and Michael were his pride and joy - as anyone who spoke to him for more than 5 minutes would know.

He spent his days telling stories of getting ice cream with the kids and boasting of their accomplishments.

He spent the last days of his life around his loving family sharing memories that we will cherish forever.

A husband, a dad, a papa, a man of faith, and a close friend to so many-Ralph Poirier crossed the finish line as a proud man of a life well lived.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Coyle Dr., Seekonk.

Visitation and floral tributes are respectfully omitted.

Memorial donations to Hebron Food Pantry (www.hebronfoodpantry.org), American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church (www.olqmseekonk.org), would be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted with WILLIAM W.

TRIPP Funeral Home, Pawtucket.

Online condolences at TRIPPFUNERALHOME.com