Ralph B. Maloney

Ralph Bernard Maloney, of Tully (and previously Fayetteville), New York went home to his Lord on September 9, 2023. Born April 8,1939 in Portland, Maine to Ralph and Margaret Maloney, Ralph spent most of his childhood in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Ralph played football for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he was elected captain his senior year. While earning his master's degree in forestry at the University of Idaho, he met and married the love of his life, Marilynn "Sue" Lane of Kellogg, Idaho. Their 62 year adventure took them all over the country, moving ten times in ten years before settling in Fayetteville, NY. Later travels included trips to Gabon, Sudan, Kenya and Israel.

In 1970, Ralph established his own business, Associated Components, Inc., to sell laminated wood products and skylights for commercial buildings. He continued the business with his son, Michael, contributing to large projects in the state of New York and designing his own home in Tully. Before GPS, there was Ralph, who knew every highway, slow way and roundabout way to anywhere in upstate New York. His home was a sanctuary where he fed the birds, tended his gardens and chopped endless stacks of firewood.

As an active member of Lafayette Alliance Church, Ralph devoted himself to his church family, serving in many roles. Always generously giving, he faithfully supported numerous charities and served as a long-standing board member of New Hope Family Services. Known as a storyteller extraordinaire, Ralph proudly published a children's book called Heavenly Flavors. Ralph raised homing pigeons as a young boy and later befriended any and all who flew by his feeders. He loved feeding people also: potato salad and pecan pie were among Ralph's dishes that became legend among friends. He learned to garden from his mother and made sure to always plant at least 12 more tomato seedlings than necessary. He was a dedicated golfer who was more skilled than he ever admitted. Nothing brought him more pride and honor than his roles as dad and grandpa. His playful spirit brought everyone unbridled joy.

Ralph is survived by his wife Sue (Suzie to him), children Michael (Patty), Brian (Lisa), and Jennifer Maloney Edwards (Rich); siblings Mary Jane Leone, Margaret "Peggy" (Michael) O'Brien, Kathy (Tommy) Gilmore, and Amrit (Nirbhe) Singh; and treasured grandchildren Amanda Maloney, Thomas (Natalie) Maloney, Lauren Maloney, Erin Edwards, and Mallory Edwards.

His boundless love for them resounds.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for Ralph's family please visit the guestbook below.