Ralph L. Leaf

AKWESASNE – Mr. Ralph L. Leaf, 92, of 154 St. Regis Road, passed away Monday afternoon, January 3, 2011, at Cornwall Community Hospital, where he had been a patient since Tuesday. He had recently been residing at Tsiionkwanonhso:te, Cornwall Island Long Term Care Facility.

Ralph was born July 13, 1918 on Cornwall Island, the son of the late Lawrence and Mary Terrance Leaf.  He attended schools on Cornwall Island.  Ralph proudly served in the US Army during World War II.

He was an ironworker with Local #16 in Baltimore for 65 years.  During his tenure, he worked throughout the country including many years in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Rochester, and Syracuse.  He was an active communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church and a member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479.  He enjoyed all sports, especially hockey, football and baseball.  He was also an avid skater, having skated into his 80’s.  Ralph also enjoyed visiting with his family and friends about the “old times” and ironworking.  He loved to putter around his yard and in his sheds and do gardening.

He is survived by his wife 65 years, Mary; 4 sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Ann Leaf of Akwesasne, Dwight and Pat Leaf of Binghamton, Bruce and Colleen of Akwesasne, and Louie and Amy Leaf of Baltimore; a daughter, Valerie Truax of Louisiana; 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother, Jack Leaf of Akwesasne and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Joyce Christie Jocko on April 17, 2007; and his siblings, Mary Ann, Margaret and Alexander Peters, Peter White, Elizabeth “Lizzie” LaFrance, Sarah Thompson, Genevieve Tarbell, Agnes Roundpoint, Emily White, and Anna Thompson.

Friends may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, Wednesday 7-9 PM and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday 11:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. George H. Belgarde, SJ, celebrating.  Cremation will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.