Ralph Irwin

He was born April 25, 1915 in Clearfield, PA the son of the late Jess and Amy (Way) Irwin.

Ralph proudly served his country in the US Army from 1937 to 1939 until he was honorably discharged.

On October 22, 1940, Ralph married Pearl Russell in Deposit. Pearl predeceased him on March 27, 1982.

Ralph spent most of his life in the Walton area and came to the Oneonta area in the early 1980’s. While living on East Brook, Walton, Ralph was a dairy farmer working at the Russell Farmstead. In 1958 he began working at S.J. Bailey and Son’s Furniture Factory in Walton until 1977. After moving to Hartwick he worked at The Meadows in the activities department for a number of years and was well loved by the staff and residents.

Ralph enjoyed the outdoors his entire life. In his younger years he participated in hunting, fishing and trapping. In his older years, Ralph enjoyed hunting ginseng.

Ralph had many trades during his lifetime. He was a gunsmith, operated a sharpening service, dealt with used books, was a used furniture dealer, a woodworker, and owned auction house service in Jefferson. He also was a hobbiest photographer. He sold his photography at craft shows and also showed them in the amateur photography class at the fair. Ralph also enjoyed traveling. He was very much a people person who touched a lot of lives and will be deeply missed.

Ralph is survived by his five children, David and Alex Irwin of West Oneonta, Margaret Ware of Colorado Springs, CO, Irene and Ed Haney of Oneonta, Betty and Joseph Keena of Gainesville, FL and Janet Cook of Mesa, AZ; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; his companion, Dorothy Manley of Hartwick; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Robert Ware, four sisters and three brothers.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in the funeral home at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Judith A. Thistle, Chaplain at the A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital officiating. Flowers are welcome or memorial donations in Ralph’s name may be made to the Otsego Manor c/o the Activities Fund, 128 Phoenix Mills Crossroad, Cooperstown, New York 13326. To light a candle or send an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta.