NORWICH – Ralph Gould, 78, of Norwich, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 31, 2010 at his home.
The son of George and Mildred Gould, Ralph was born in Thunder Bay, Alberta, Canada in November of 1932. He spent the early years of his life in Canada and in 1960 moved to Arizona to open the southwest markets for the Dr. Pepper soft drink. He later worked as a graphic artist and created cartoon characters which now adorn the side of the Norwich City school buses. In 1987, Ralph and his family moved to Norwich. He was a well known Norwich City school bus driver for 24 years and also operated his own custom striping shop for 22 years.
Ralph was a very loving and compassionate man. Aside from the obvious love for his family, his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness was very important to him. He was an Elder of the Norwich Congregation and had also conducted many study groups as well as taught public speaking for the congregation.
In 1981 in Oneonta he married Lynnette Decker, who survives. Besides his wife Lynnette, Ralph is survived by his children Shane Gould and his wife Janet of Maryland, Lisa McNeil and her husband John of Virginia, Stacy Alemar and her husband Steve of Norwich and Kevin Scott Gould of Tennessee. Also surviving are his grandchildren Jessica Davis, Stephanie Gould, Branden Davis, Samantha Gould, Katelynn Davis, Jorden Alemar and John McNeil III.
A memorial service for Ralph was held at 4 p.m. Sunday from the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Norwich.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall, 5250 State Highway 12, Norwich, NY 13815, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Ralph’s family would especially like to thank their Hospice Nurses Shelly, Diane, Stacy, Letitia, Karen, Sarah and Noreen and volunteer Nick Andrews.
Arrangements were by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.