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Fort Plain – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald J. Pettit, 79, of Pickle Hill Road Fort Plain NY on February 10, 2023, at the Cooperstown Center in Cooperstown NY of Lewy Body Dementia.
Ronald was predeceased by his wife Lois M. Pettit and survived by children Kathleen Kilmartin, Ronald J. Pettit Jr., Mark Pettit, Shonny Capodilupo, Martin Pettit and Amber Pettit-Hilyard: grandchildren Alexander, Nicholas, Justin, Chad, Steven, Tyler, Brianna, Logan, Dylan, Abraham, Mikaela, Kaitlyn, Braedan, Gavin, Nathaniel and Abigail; and great grandchildren Theodore, Leianna, Elijah and Colt and Jameson.
Born July 25, 1943, in the City of Gloversville to Charles B. Pettit and Marion Pettit, Ronald was one of five boys: Charles B. Pettit Jr., Orville Pettit, Robert L. Pettit and Thomas Pettit. In 1962 he graduated from Gloversville High School and worked for Alís Pizzeria in Gloversville. Ron later worked at White Mop Wringer company in Fultonville. He also worked for the Hunt Family Farm in Carlisle NY gaining the knowledge he would need to buy his own farm.
On May 18, 1963, Ronald married the love of his life. Ron and Lois were married for over 56 years. In 1971 they bought Lone Cedar Farms on Pickle Hill Road in Fort Plain, NY. There they raised their family and found God’s calling to raise multiple foster children over the years. Ron was active in several local churches and was known for his wit and awesome humor and dedication to God’s Word. Ron also drove a school bus for Fort Plain Central School for over 30 years and was known for his kindness and friendly demeanor as a driver. Until his death, many children whom he drove – now grown – would stop him in town to express how much he meant to them.
Although Ron was not raised on a farm and had no formal agricultural training, Ron was a progressive Dairy Farmer and grew his dairy expanding the farm infrastructure while working with USDA on multiple farm projects improving his crop and herd production. Ron loved hunting, fishing, country music, Italian food and his family most of all.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Adirondack Baptist Church, Gloversville NY with Pastor Mark Kelly officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, February 15 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc. 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Fonda.
Contributions in memory of Ronald J. Pettit may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate/.
Please sign the online guestbook for Mr. Ronald Pettit at
www.houghtalingandsmith.com.
