McDONOUGH – Ronald F. MacLaury, 71, a life long resident of McDonough, and most recently of Norwich, passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 21, 2006 in the Wilson Hospital of Johnson City.
The son of Julian and Jessie (Wilcox) MacLaury, Ron was born Oct. 17, 1935 in the Town of North Norwich. He attended the Oxford schools and lived his entire life in the McDonough area. In May of 1958 he entered the United States Army, serving his country until his honorable discharge in April of 1960. In his early years he worked on several area farms including the Barrows farm of McDonough and the Newton farm in East Pharsalia. Ron had also worked for the Shelburne metal fabrication plant in Greene. On Sept. 27, 1963 in Guilford Center he married Ethel Hatton, who survives.
Ron was a long time employee of the New York State DOT, beginning his career in April of 1964 as a truck driver, retiring in 1990 after 27 years of service.
Ron was a man who loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, especially wrestling and baseball. A “farmboy” at heart, he loved to work on the farms, enjoyed his deer hunting and riding his Kabota.
Ron is survived by his wife Ethel of Norwich, his children; Sue Berry of Norwich, Diane Parsons and husband Ren of Guilford and Ruth Manwarren and husband Joe of Norwich. His grandchildren; Paul and Tim Parsons, Derek and Michael Manwarren, Ashley Parsons, Erika Berry and Allyson Manwarren. Also surviving is his sister Marion Parker and husband Richard of McDonough and his brother Richard MacLaury and wife Esther of South Otselic. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Ron was predeceased by his sisters, Elsie Burkholder, Nonna Houghtaling and Louise MacLaury and his brothers Alford, Charles and Julian MacLaury.
Funeral services for Ron will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford, pastor of the Beaver Meadow Christian Church, will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in the Union Cemetery of McDonough.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.