RALPH A. WESTGATE
BAINBRIDGE – Ralph A. Westgate, 94, of Bainbridge passed away late Wednesday evening, Nov. 5, 2014 at the NYS Veterans’ Home, Oxford. Ralph was born on Dec. 26, 1919. Preceded in death by his son, Marke, Ralph is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter, Beckee and her husband Jerry; son, Victor, daughter-in-law Lisa , and grandchildren Christopher and Samantha.
Ralph was a child of the Great Depression having grown up in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. The experience made him a man of strong convictions and resilience. Ralph worked at Bendix Corp. in Sidney for almost 50 years as a cost-estimator. But his real gifts were his intense desire to read, write and provide words of inspiration to everyone he met on life’s road.
For more than four years, Ralph, lived at the Vets Home in Oxford where he became an inspiration to others for his sage advice, love of music, archive of memorized poems and his gift of painting that he developed upon entering the Vets Home. Ralph received an award for Best in Show in 2013 from the Leading Age of New York Art Exhibit.
Friends are invited to call at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel in Sidney on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 3:00-6:00pm. At 10:00am on Sunday, November 16th, there will be a Celebration of Life at the funeral chapel where friends can share their recollections of Ralph. If you are unable to attend Sunday’s celebration, you can leave comments at www.Landersfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to : Doctors without Borders, with special attention for children requiring surgery for cleft palates.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.