Ralph "Skip" St. Hilaire, Jr., of Westwood Circle left this world on Saturday, February 13th after a long battle with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

He was born in Kittery, M.E. on March 31, 1960, the son of Ralph St. Hilaire, Sr. and Anna (Lapointe) Chick.

He enlisted in the Navy at 17 to serve his country and later worked at several local companies, including Davidson Rubber. Skip was also heavily involved in the Somersworth, N.H. area- you could often find at him at Service Credit Union or Market Basket chatting with staff and customers. As a member of the American Legion Post 69, Skip was a Trustee and the Post Vice Commander. As a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4485, he also held several positions. The last position Skip held was Quartermaster/Finance Officer.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Ralph and Pearl St. Hilaire; maternal grandparents, Alfred and Blanche Lapointe; his father, Ralph St. Hilaire Sr.; his sister, Robin Lyle; his uncle Leo Lapointe and his wife, Carlene.

He leaves behind his wife, Beth St. Hilaire; two children, Victoria Harrison and Amber St. Hilaire; his mother, Anna Chick and her husband, John; his stepmother, Pauline Keene and her husband, Butch; his stepmother Barbara St.Hilaire; and five brothers, Rodney, John, and Chris St. Hilaire, John Chick III, and Joseph Deprato; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and numerous loving friends.

The family wants to express their deep gratitude for all the help with Skip's care during his original illness and its recurrence. Visitors kept his spirits up and gave us more time with him.

There will be visiting hours and a sharing of memories at the Bernier Funeral Home, Somersworth, NH. Visiting hours will be Friday, Feb. 19, 3 pm – 8 pm and Saturday, February 20 starting at 10 am. At 11:30 am on Saturday, we welcome you to share your memories of Skip with everyone who has gathered. Memory sharing will be followed by a celebration of life at the Post 69 American Legion in Somersworth.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the American Legion, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.