Max T. Raterman

Max T. Raterman passed away on a sunny, quiet morning at his farmhouse in Whitney Point, NY on October 22, 2024, after a long battle with early onset dementia and primary progressive aphasia. He was surrounded by his immediate family and beloved pets, in a home that he loved fiercely.
Born and raised in Syracuse, Max graduated from East Syracuse-Minoa High School, Class of 1980. After marrying his high school sweetheart Diane, they moved to Florida, where he worked for local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, while earning his master's degree in public administration at the University of Central Florida. After their three children were born, they moved back to New York to be closer to family. Max earned his law degree from the State University at Buffalo and became a district attorney for Broome County in 1999. Weaving his vast educational past, law enforcement experience, and legal knowledge, Max applied these skills at various agencies, including, but not limited to, the Federal Air Marshal program, the Office of Air and Marine, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Although Max wore many Director and Chief hats, he always said his favorite hat was the one he wore when he was home on his twenty acres in Whitney Point.
Max was an avid enthusiast of anything with a motor. He enjoyed trail riding and working outside and in the garage. He also collected vintage motorcycles and snowmobiles. He is pre-deceased by his parents, George and Jennie (Polimino) Raterman. He is survived by his wife/high school sweetheart, Diane (Moore); his children, Nicole (Thane), Max (Kris), and Joshua; his grandsons, Rowan and Krew Thomas; his siblings, Lori (Steve), Matthew (Kim), and Jennifer.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to The Bluefield Project, a researcher of frontotemporal dementia, which affected Max at the end of his too-short life. You can donate in his memory online at www.bluefieldproject.org. The family would also like to give special thanks to the people who helped him when things became difficult. First and foremost is Laura Bear, the Speech Language Pathologist who listened to Max's stories and integrated love, laughter, and communication with him for over five years. The family would also like to thank the medical personnel at Wilson Hospital, UHS Home Care Team, and the Lourdes-Guthrie Hospice Team.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 1, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. (noon) immediately followed by a funeral service in celebration of Max's life at 12:00 P.M. (noon) at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse. Burial will follow in Kirkville Cemetery.