Silent Key Tributes

This page is dedicated to honoring the memories of deceased CAARA members. The members listed **SK** here made diverse and significant contributions to the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association which benefited their fellow hams and the general welfare of the Club. May they Rest In Peace as we preserve the memories of their camaraderie and service.

Joseph A. Pallazola, WB1CHJ (2017)

CAARA member Joseph A. Pallazola WB1CHJ, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Kaplan Family House with his loving family at his side.

Francis A. "Frank" Vidal, WU1S (2014)

Francis A. "Frank" Vidal WU1S, 87, husband of Joan (Child) Vidal, of Gloucester, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at his home in Gloucester.

Born in Gloucester on September 18, 1927, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Silva) Vidal.

Frank was a graduate of Gloucester High School with the Class of 1946. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and later in the National Guard.

As a young man, Frank was a truck driver for Progressive Oil. He then had served on the Gloucester Police Department for over 32 years before retiring.

Throughout his life, he was a devout member of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church and had served on the Holy Name Society for many years. He was a founding member of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Club.

Frank was a very kind and loving family man and will be dearly missed by his relatives and friends.

Ralph E. Karcher, Jr., W1RK (2013)

Ralph E. Karcher, Jr. W1RK, 88, died Tuesday morning, December 10, 2013 following an extended illness. He was the husband of Mariam B. (Purdy) Karcher.

Born in Gloucester on February 27, 1925, he was the son of the late Ralph E. and Ethel (Corkum) Karcher. He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1943, where he was a member of the Fighting Fishermen Football team and a Northeast Conference All Star. He played for Nate Ross, who once said Ralph was the best lineman he ever coached. He was proud to be inducted into the Gloucester High School Hall of Fame.

His passion was ham radio and he got his license at the age of fifteen. His home in Magnolia is easily recognizable for the three radio towers and his call letters are W1RK. He maintains transcripts of speaking with Capt. Frank Quirk aboard the "Can Do" during the Blizzard of 1978.

Upon graduation, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and this skill opened the opportunity for him to become part of the Signal Corps during World War II. He served in Italy in the Po Valley as well as campaigns including Rome Arno and the North Appennines and was honorably discharged in January of 1946.

Upon his return from the war, he became a member of the Gloucester Fire Department were he remained for several years. He then became an electrical engineer for the former United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Beverly for thirty-five years, having retired in 1987. He had always been active in youth sports and had coached Pee Wee Football for the Magnolia Lions. He also coached Babe Ruth Baseball for thirty years for the former Mass Electric team which became the Kiwanis Club Team.

Thomas S. Andrew, KA1GTA (2011)

Thomas S. Andrew, KA1GTA, died Saturday, May 7, 2011 in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his loving, and now grieving, family. He was the husband of Nancy (Merriam) Andrew, KA1SFD.

Tom was a long-time member and past President of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association and a recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. Tom served as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War, and took part in the battle at Chosin Reservoir. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

Capt. Charles E. "Toddy" Anderson, WI1U (2010)

Capt. Charles E. "Toddy" Anderson, WI1U, peacefully embarked upon his final voyage on Friday, April 30, 2010. Charles belonged to the Boston Marine Society and the Council of Master Mariners. He was a member and past president of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Club and an accredited volunteer examiner for the American Radio Relay League. As a ham radio operator he kept in touch with friends all over the world.

He went to Maine Maritime Academy where, in 1961, he received an officer's commission in the United States Navy as well as a Third Mate's license in the Merchant Marine. In 1968, at the age of 28, he attained his Coast Guard Master Mariner License, "any gross tonnage, upon oceans," a license he held at the time of his death. Over the course of his 40-year career, he sailed the world's oceans and seas on passenger ships, freighters, container ships and LNG tankers, retiring as Master of the LNG Gemini in 2000.