Ralph E. “Skipper” Lopes Sr. died on May 31 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.

Born on Sept. 22, 1940, he was the son of the late Thomas F. and Dorothy (Lopes) Souto. A longtime resident of Wareham, Ralph worked as an auto mechanic. He loved hunting and most of all fishing.

Ralph served 10 years in the U.S. Army with the 101st and 82nd Airborne.

Survivors include his son, Ralph E. Lopes, Jr. of Treasure Island, Florida.; two granddaughters, Kayla and Francisca; two sisters, Maureen Porter-Newton of Hampton, Virginia and Dawn Souto of Wareham; and four brothers, Kurt Souto and Thomas Souto, both of Wareham, Ceasar Souto of New Bedford and John Souto of Taunton. He was predeceased by his son, the late Jesse Lopes.

His funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 9 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.