Ralph A. (Joe) Tompkins, 80, of South New Berlin, passed away with his loving family by his side on August 6, 2018 at his home. Ralph was born on September 20, 1937 in Rhinebeck, NY as a son of the late Robert and Jean (DeGarmo) Tompkins. He was a graduate of Otego Central School, Class of 1955. Ralph married the love of his life; the former Nancy Lent of Wells Bridge on September 29, 1956 at the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin.
Ralph was a well-known Livestock Dealer and ran a Dairy Farm with his father. He was an avid Phillies Fan and also enjoyed gardening. He was well known for producing the area’s best potatoes, winter squash, corn, pumpkins and peas. Ralph loved to hunt on the beautiful land which is part of the family farm. He especially enjoyed telling deer stories in the company of good friends and family.
Ralph is survived by his loving family, wife; Nancy Tompkins of South New Berlin, children; Patti (Kurt) Funke of South New Berlin, Barbara (Peter) Perron of Mooers Forks, NY and Timothy (Jennifer) Tompkins of South New Berlin, grandchildren; Shannon (Colin) Seddon, Andrew (Catherine) Funke, Sherry (Cory) Kizielewicz, Jacob (Gillian) Perron, Zachary (Brae) Perron, Benjamin Perron, Katherine (Ian) Carney, Jessica Tompkins and Jamie Tompkins, great- grandchildren Charlotte, Jorja, and Jackson Perron, Madeline and Graham Seddon, Sebastien and Octavian Perron, Henry and Breyer Funke, Augustus and Nimueh Perron, Solomon Kizielewicz, and beloved brother Ronald (Ruth) P. Tompkins of Guilford NY.
Nancy and the rest of her family would like to offer a special thanks to Kerry Lent Bell and Alex Henderson for their compassion and support during the last few months of Ralph’s life. Much love and appreciation is also extended to all family, neighbors and good friends, who made a point to visit and encourage Joe during the course of his illness. You were all a bright light shining through a very difficult time.
Great thanks are also extended to Bassett Oncology staff who administered their heartfelt love and care to Joe over the past year. Thanks to Catskill area Hospice for their great concern and care in his final days.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11AM at the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin, 3294 NY-8, South New Berlin, NY 13843. Please come and share your happy memories and funny stories of Joe with the family at that time.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Ralph may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, or the South New Berlin Fire Department. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris. Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.JohnstonFH.com.