Ralph Bogage family

Ralph and Manya had two children: Jonah Edward and Bernard.

Ralph Bogage Obituary:

R.R. Bogage, Jeweler, Dies at 72

Original obituary as published in the local Worcester newspaper

Ralph R. Bogage, 72, of 244 June St., owner and operator of Bogage Jewelers at 609 Main Street for more than 40 years, died suddenly in his home yesterday.

He apprenticed at a trade school in his native Kiev, Russia, four years to learn the rudiments of watch mechanism and repairing.

He graduated in watchmaking and jewelry as a youth from the London Horological Institute, London, England.

He established his Main Street business in 1917 and was a nationally known authority on watchmaking and diamonds.

Associated With Son

He was associated in business with a son, the late J. Edward Bogage.

When he applied for employment with a Worcester watch store in 1906, he was asked to recommend himself in an unusual way.

“If you can repair these two watches,” said his interviewer, “I will put you to work immediately.”

Fixed 2 Watches

In two hours the timepieces were functioning as good watches should and he was hired.

He was born in Kiev, son of the late Joseph and Carol (Hussed) Bogage, and was a resident of Worcester for 52 years.

He was a member of the Worcester Lodge, B’nai B’rith, Damascus Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Temple Emanuel and its Brotherhood, the Jewish Home for the Aged, Anchoria Lodge of Odd Fellows, Tajak Sanctorum and Encampment, the Worcest Zionist Organization of America, and Shaarai Thorah, Sons of Abraham Synagogue.

Retail Jewelers

He was also a member of the National Retail Jewelers Assn. and the United States Horological Society.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Minne (Gould) Bogage; a son Bernard Bogage of Salisbury, Md.; two brothers, Joseph Bogage of Trenton, N.J., Louis Bogage of Bristol, PA; a sister, Mrs. Clara Cutler of Worcester; five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today in the Perlman Funeral Home, 1026 Main Street. Rabbi Joseph Klein will officiate. Burial will be :in B’nai B’rith Cemetery.

The family requests that flowers be omitted.