Obituary of Ralph K. Pitman

Lapeer, NY: Ralph K. Pitman of Lapeer, NY passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the age of 78. Born September 9, 1942 in Marathon, NY, Ralph was the 11th of 11 children born to Albert and Della (Halcomb) Pitman. Ralph graduated from Marathon Central School in the class of 1960 and is also a graduate of Broome Community College. In early adulthood Ralph worked for Smith Corona in Cortland, NY, after which he went to work for the Cortland County Highway Department for a brief amount of time before becoming the Director of Solid Waste for Cortland County where he worked for 32 years until his retirement. Ralph built his family’s home in Lapeer, NY, a community which he truly loved and where he established Pitman’s Christmas Tree Farm. He ran the tree farm for 46 years—A hobby that he was very proud of and that brought him much happiness as he really loved seeing his friends and many other familiar faces each year at ‘tree time’. Seeing his customers smile and being part of their family traditions brought him great happiness. Ralph served the Town of Lapeer as Town Justice, Town Supervisor and as a member of the Assessment Board. He also served as Chairman of the Town Picnic for many years. Another of Ralph’s hobbies was shooting. He belonged to the McGraw Sportsman’s Club where he participated in local and traveling Trap and Skeet shooting leagues. He enjoyed his time with his friends at these various shooting events. Ralph was also a Life Member of the Marathon Fire Department and a member of the MAVAC Board. He was a NYS Hunter’s Safety Instructor for 40 years and served as Mayor of the Village of Marathon for a brief period of time prior to moving to Lapeer. Ralph is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sally Sherman Pitman whom he married on August 11,1962, his sons John M. (Denise) Pitman and Keith D. (Nancy) Pitman and his seven Grandchildren: Lacey (Jim) Mikochik, Marci (Hollis) Tompkins, Lucas, Isaac, Simon (Sydney), Therese and Rose Pitman and his Great-Grandson: Jameson David Tompkins. Also surviving is his sister Joyce Barrows and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings: Beryl, Ernest, Ruth, Earl, Nelma, Ina, Lloyd, Reva and Rita. Arrangements will be handled by Wright Beard Funeral Home Cortland, NY. In accordance with COVID restrictions and out of respect for Ralph’s wishes, services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place at the Parker Street Cemetery, Lapeer, NY. In Ralph’s honor and memory, donations can be made to the McGraw Sportsman’s Club Ridge Road, McGraw, NY 13101 or The Marathon Fire Department, Marathon NY or MAVAC, Marathon, NY