HAMPTON -- Ralph T. Colliander, 82 , died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, in Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

He was born July 30, 1923, in Woburn, Mass., the son of the late Gunnar R. and Margaret M. (Cotter) Colliander.

Mr. Colliander's civilian career as a pilot included 20 years of service with the former Mohawk Airlines. When he retired in 1972, he was senior vice president of flight operations.

He is survived by his wife of four years, Helen Witt of Pittsburgh, Pa.; one son and his wife, John D. and Deborah Colliander of Hampton Falls; three daughters and their husbands, Linda J. and Thomas Webb of Waterboro, Maine, Gail F and David Mears of Ashland and Janet M. and Robert Martel of South Berwick, Maine; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister and her husband, Marjorie M. and Robert Spang of Wakefield, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Helen F. (Swymer) Colliander; and one sister, Helen H. DeMinico.

WE REMEMBER: He moved to Hampton in 1975 from Whitesboro, N.Y., and had previously lived in Holderness for five years. He was a 1940 graduate of Winchester High School. A veteran of World War II, he was a pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps and later the Army Air Force with the 2nd Division o the 8th Air Force completing 35 bombardment missions in the European Theater. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Battle Stars and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He later served as the base adjutant at Rapid City, S.D., Army Air Base, which is now Ellsworth Air Force Base.

He served as master chairman of the Mohawk Council of the Airlines Pilot Association and National Mediation Board for 17 years as regional head mediator that helped solve labor disputes for airlines and the railroad. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church; a member of the Holy Name Society; past president of St. Vincent de Paul Society; a member of the 2nd Air Division Association; and Hampton's American Legion Post No. 35. He served as town moderator and was a member of the School Board while residing in Holderness.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Hampton. Burial will be High Street Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart School, 289 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH 03842.