Ralph Vatalaro

1935 - 2015

CANASTOTA >> Ralph Vatalaro, 79, of 7112 New Yorker Ave., Canastota, died Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at his home with his loving family by his side.
He was born on Aug.18, 1935, in Utica, a son of Ralph, Sr. and Lillian Nicotera Vatalaro.
Ralph spent his early years in Utica, graduating from Proctor High School and later graduating from Utica College in 1957 with a degree in journalism. He married Judith A. Galton on July 2, 1960 in Canastota. They lived in Rotterdam, N.Y. for the next 27 years where their family grew to include five daughters. After retiring, Ralph and Judy moved to Brant Lake, the summer home known as "5-of-a-kind" that they cherished, and lived there for the next 20 years. Ralph lived in Canastota for the last four years of his life.
Ralph was employed at the New York State Labor Department and the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) in Albany as executive director for 32 years, retiring in 1990. Upon retiring from PERB he was the director and adjunct professor of industrial relations at LeMoyne College.
Ralph was a trustee of Schenectady Community College and volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Brant Lake, N.Y. He was a voracious reader and considered himself a "news junkie." He also started a small town newspaper named "The Rotterdam Reporter" which ran for several years.
Ralph enjoyed spending much time with his children and grandchildren. He was happiest driving his boat on Brant Lake often with a few grandchildren in tow. He loved spending winters in Marco Island with his wife and close friends. He volunteered at St. Teresa Church in Brant Lake where he and Judy cleaned and maintained the grounds for many years. Ralph was also a lifelong avid New York Yankees fan watching nearly all of the 162 games each year.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Judy, of 55 years and five daughters and sons-in-law, MaryEllen and Michael Budd of New York, N.Y., AnneMarie and Kevin Knightly of New Canaan, Conn., Liz and Bill Neville of Londonderry, N.H., Catherine and Christopher Gallagher of Hopkinton, Mass., and Jennifer and Sean Nagle of Miami, Fla. He leaves 13 grandchildren, Patrick Knightly, Caroline Knightly and Brendan Knightly all of New Canaan, Conn., Sarah Neville, Evan Neville, Claire Neville, Emma Neville, MaryCatherine Neville and Daniel Neville all of Londonderry, N.H., Lillian Gallagher, Grace Gallagher and Francis Gallagher all of Hopkinton, Mass., and Alice Nagle of Miami, Fla. He has one surviving brother, Nicholas Vatalaro and sister-in-law, Pauline. Ralph was predeceased by his brother, Dominic Vatalaro and his sister, Marie Vatalaro. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2015, at St. Agatha's Church, Canastota. The Rev. Stephen P. Wirkes will officiate. Burial will be in St. Agatha's Cemetery in Canastota. At Ralph's request there will be no calling hours. In his memory contributions may be made Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, N.Y. 13413, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
J. HOMER BALL FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Canastota
A Trust 100 Family Owned Funeral Home