Ralph J. Perkins

Ralph John Perkins

Baldwinsville - Ralph John Perkins, 73, passed away on June 4, 2023. He was born

December 1, 1949, in Ogdensburg, N.Y., to the late Leo Perkins and Cecilia Rivers Perkins. 

Ralph was a devoted husband and father and worked as a reporter and editor for more than 40 years with the Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News, the Damascus Courier in Damascus, Md., The Watertown Daily Times,  and Syracuse Newspapers. In addition to reporting and editing, Ralph also wrote movie reviews in both Watertown and under the by-line Captain Video in Syracuse.

Ralph grew up in Ogdensburg and attended SUNY Potsdam where he met his future wife, Maureen Durkin; they married in1972 and had two children, Sara and Michael. 

Ralph and Maureen celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2022 with a party for family and close friends. 

Ralph enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, and he was a voracious reader, avid birdwatcher and gardener, and a lifelong NY Yankees and NY Giants fan. Ralph was a lover of animals, adding many dogs to the family over the years knowing that each one was the very best dog in the world. He loved spending time with family and friends, especially on the St. Lawrence River. One of  his favorite events each year was hosting an annual St. Patrick’s Day party for which he made his famous soda bread and shepherd’s pie.

Ralph was predeceased by his parents and his sister Cecilia, sister-in-law Sheila Gliha and brothers-in-law Ed Gliha and Keith (Charlie) O’Connor. 

In addition to his wife Maureen and children Sara (Jim Catalano) and Michael, Ralph is survived by his  sisters Donna Perkins, Mary Perkins and Anne Perkins; brothers-in-law John Durkin  (Barbara), Phillip Durkin (Kathleen) and sister-in-law Erin O’Connor, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held at 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Tassone’s Wine Garden, 8113 Dexter Parkway, Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., or the CNY SPCA. 

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.fingerlakescremationllc.com.

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