Avis de décès de Ralph Todd - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

Ralph D. While a patient at Arnot Ogden Hospital, Ralph died unexpectedly, and entered his eternity. His passing culminated the end of a lifelong battle waged against diabetes. The fact that Ralph "lost" this round was surprising, but in retrospect, perhaps no less so than many earlier victories. The man who died on March 30th had spent the better part of his 42 years teaching those around him how to live. He was a gentle soul who fought chronic illness with a level of courage unattainable to most. He would not complain and could not feel sorry for himself; he was the embodiment of grace. Left behind are a very large number of people who loved Ralph dearly, who will remember the example he set, daily. Ralph is survived by two people around whom much of his life revolved, his wife Debbie, and his son Ryan. There is his mother, who twice gave Ralph life, Virginia Todd, and her fiance, Daniel Minster. Also surviving are Ralph's beloved brother, Charles Todd, and his father and step-mother Ralph W. & Joyce Todd. There are also two mothers-in-law and a father-in-law who loved Ralph deeply, Carol Turk, Charles Cleary and Diana Cleary. Ralph leaves a step-sister Sherri Schrijver, and step-brother Scott Logue. Ralph was especially close to his sisters in-law and brothers-in-law, Patricia & Patrick Kelley; Kelly & Rick Emanuel; Melissa & Michael Wichtowski; Colleen Cleary, Brandon Cleary, Alexander Cleary, and Francis Cleary (predeceased.). He enjoyed several nieces and nephews, some of them god-children, Alexander Todd; Meghan and Ian Kelley; Aimee White; Alexandra and Eric Emanuel; Mary, Andrew and Nicole Cleary; and Allyson and Andrew Wichtowski. Also surviving are several aunts and uncles: Jeannine & Dr. Neil Lawrence; Katherine & Vincent Muccigrosso; Henry & Diana Todd; Alfred & Mardell Todd; Mary & Edward Haff; James & Lois Cleary; Francis & Lois Cleary; Mary Poteat; Bernadette Tarntino; and Rosa Cleary. There are many cousins. Ralph truly touched the life of any person who shared any portion of his, and so he leaves many, many friends too, but first among them are the Reverend Donald Matthews, and Ralph's first wife, Laurie Collins. And finally, befitting a man who gave and welcomed love effortlessly, Ralph's sincere affection extended to his "family" at Grace Episcopal Church of Elmira, and to his and Deb's co-workers at Hardinge, Inc., and Southside High School, respectively. Ralph was a proud graduate of Southside High School and of Corning Community College, and was likewise proud to serve Grace Episcopal Church in numerous ways. He was an enthusiastic and willing partner in many activities under-taken to benefit the Elmira community, via Deb's affiliation with the Junior League of Elmira-Corning. He loved watching his son play soccer, loved listening to music and playing video games with Ryan, and loved just hanging out with him. Any who wish to bid Ralph farewell and Godspeed may do so at Grace Episcopal Church, 375 W. Church St., Elmira, NY, on Friday, April 2, 2004 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A Solemn Requiem Mass will be offered at Grace Episcopal at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 3, 2004 with Rev. Fr. Donald D. Matthews, Celebrant and Homilist, and Fathers Hanvan den Blink, assisting. Committal to the Columbarium in the St. Michael's Chapel of Grace Church will be at the convenience of the family. Debbie and Ryan and their entire family wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to the skilled and caring doctors and support staff at Arnot-Ogden Medical Center, and we reserve special appreciation always for the nursing staff at the same. Know that your efforts will never be taken for granted or forgotten. In lieu of flowers for our family, dear friends, please give an extra hug everyday to a member of your family. Any who are able and wish to make memorial monetary donations may do so to Grace Episcopal Church or to the Arnot-Ogden Medical Center.