Obituary of Ralph A. Young

CRANBERRY LAKE- Ralph A. Young, age 71, of Cranberry Lake, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2014 at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. Calling hours for Ralph, will be on Friday, January 10, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at French Family Funeral Home in Star Lake. His funeral service will be on Saturday, January 11th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Hubert's Catholic Church in Star Lake with Fr. Stephen Rocker officiating along with military honors. Condolences may be made online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Ralph was born on October 9, 1942 in Gouverneur, NY to the late Stanley and Catherine (House) Young. He graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1960 and then he attended Watertown School of Commerce and Canton ATC. In 1966 he was drafted into the United States Army and served during Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1970. Ralph married JoAnn M. McAllister on May 2, 1970 at St. James Catholic Church in Gouverneur. Ralph had worked as an accountant for Rouse Construction, Brown and Storie and then James River Paper Mill. He was the owner and operator of Ralphie's in Cranberry Lake for 21 years. He was a life member of the Gouverneur VFW, a past member of the Cranberry Lake Fish and Game Club, the Mountaineer Snowmobile Club and the Gouverneur Elks Lodge. He loved his children and grandchildren and they were his life. He was a believer of tough love with a hidden humor that only his grandchildren could break. Flowers were his summer passion, and were maintained as a bright spot as you drove through town. All that knew him will miss him. He leaves behind his wife, JoAnn of Cranberry Lake; two daughters and their husbands, Sarah and Andy Leroux and Dawn and Brian Bullard both of Cranberry Lake; two grandchildren, Paige Leroux and Chase Bullard; two brothers, Stanley and Roger Young of Gouverneur; a sister, Janet Fuller of Gouverneur and three generations of nieces and nephews. Donations may be made in Ralph's memory to the Cranberry Lake Fire and Rescue or to the Clifton-Fine Library.