Rodney Ralston

Cliff Haven Rodney Ralston, a resident of Cliff Haven, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 15th. Rodney was born in 1933 in Providence, R.I., the son of William H. and Beatrice Swan Ralston. He graduated from Cranston High School in 1951, and Brown University in 1955. He then served with the U.S. Army from 1956-1958, stationed primarily in Germany. Rodney entered the U.S. Customs Service as an Examiner in the Appraisers Division in 1960. After 2 years in Detroit, he transferred to Champlain, N.Y. in 1962 and moved his family to Plattsburgh. He retired from the U.S. Customs Service in 1992 as the Assistant District Director in charge of Commercial Operations. He then worked for Trans-Border Customs/UPS Supply Chain Solutions as a Customs Consultant until he retired in 2007. Rodney adopted the North Country as his home, finding it a great place to raise his family. He was active in the community serving on the Board of Education of Peru Central School, as a Trustee of the Kent Delord House, on the Town of Plattsburgh Zoning Board of Appeals, as a Trustee of the S.F. Vilas Home during its reorganization and expansion, and as a volunteer fireman and Commissioner of the South Plattsburgh Fire Department since 1966. Rodney is survived by his wife Catherine (Renee) whom he married in 1954; his three daughters, Elizabeth (Betty) and her husband Donald Kojich of Champaign, Illinois, Susan Ralston and her companion Barry St. Louis of Plattsburgh, and Dr. Catherine (Cathy) Ralston (DVM) of Peru; his son William (Bill) Ralston and his wife Joan Bleikamp of Saratoga Springs, New York; his grandsons Philip Kojich of Champaign, Illinois, and Kevin Cangro of Peru; his granddaughters Jenna Casey Beauregard and her husband Jim Beauregard of Peru, and Katy and Annie Ralston of Saratoga Springs; his brother Bruce Ralston and his wife Lynn of Manchester, Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his step-mother Jane Walker Ralston, and his grandson Kellen Casey. Rodney was an avid golfer and tennis player, and was a long time member of the Adirondack Golf & Country Club where he worked for many years as a part-time groundskeeper. He was a lifelong collector of historical memorabilia, particularly militia. Donations in Rodney's memory may be made to the South Plattsburgh Fire Department or the American Cancer Society. At his request there will be no calling hours. Friends of the family are welcome to visit the family residence between 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19th. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, (518) 561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.