Ralph Raymond Kring of Ghent, NY passed away on Mother's Day, Sunday May 9, 2021 at the FASNY Firemen's Home in Hudson, New York at the age of 95.

Ralph was born in Ogdensburg, New York on January 9, 1926; the son of Ira Raymond and Helen Marie (nee Darrow) Kring. Family gatherings were spent on his grandfathers' property, which was later purchased by the State of New York and known today as Kring Point State Park.

His family consisted of he and two older sisters, all predeceased; Hope Prior of Ghent and Elaine Katt of Catskill, NY and later a brother, James G. Kring, DDS of Malta, NY.   His father served as manager of the farming section of the New York State Fireman's Home in Hudson, NY where his younger brother was born.  They lived near the home on Harry Howard Avenue until purchasing the Springdale Farm in West Taghkanic, NY, which is now property of New York State, a section of which is the Taconic State Parkway.

Ralph moved with his parents to the property on Warren St. in the City of Hudson, which was established as the first chartered nursing home in New York State, known as Kring Nursing Home, at 816 Warren St.

He graduated from Hudson High School in 1944 and joined the Army, serving in the South Pacific until release in 1947.  He worked as an electrician, carpenter and truck driver until 1950 when he joined Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, now known as National Grid.  He retired after 36 years of service as a Line Forman, H.S. He married Florence Ellen Schrader in 1950 and had seven children. He is predeceased by his wife of 69 years and infant daughters, Deborah Lee and Donna Lynn.

Ralph and Florence were blessed with igh School in 1944

five additional children; Patricia (Wesley) Coon, Bonnie J.  Kring, Ralph I. (Lisa) Kring, all of Ghent, along with Kevin D. Kring of Hudson and Mark D. (Jennifer) Kring of Colonie, NY.  Grandchildren are Jacquelyn (Jay) Hutson, Michael (Andrea) Coon, Meghan (Will) Calhoun, Dane (Ashley) Coon, Jillian (Stephen Gerding), Brianna (Ross) Minor, Brandyn, Brayden, Talan, Sharri and Jeremiah Kring and twelve great grandchildren. Additionally Ralph leaves behind many nieces and nephews on the Schrader and Kring Family sides.

Ralph was a member in good standing with the Kinderhook #2530 Elks, the Chatham American Legion #42 for 54 years, the Ghent VFW Post #5933 for 60 years, previous membership of which was with the Hudson VFW.  He was a member of the Edmond Hose Fire Company #1 in Hudson, NY and later joined the Ghent Fire Department #1, where he and his family resided in and after 1967.

Ralph transferred his VFW membership from Hudson to Ghent, progressing through various chair positions to Post Commander.  Prior to this position, he began the Christmas Toy Relief Project, later known as the Marion Stegman Fund. With the assistance of fellow members, they served the local community by acquiring names through volunteers and local agencies to assist families in need at Christmas in the Columbia County areas.

Ralph took great pride in the Ghent VFW men's and women's Colorguard, which was the first to include women in their drilling formations.  They participated in parades in six surrounding states, some of which were nationally televised (i.e. July 4 ^th in Pittsfield, Massachusetts).  He coordinated and trained the guard which was awarded numerous trophies and plaques for a military colorguard.  Their credits were for best appearance, changing of formations while marching and overall presentation.

In 2010, Ralph was presented an award with the initiative: Honoring Our Veterans by Senator Stephen M. Saland at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York. The New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from the Empire State, who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life.

Ralph passed away after a brief illness at the FASNY Firemen's home where his room overlooked the grounds that he and his dad farmed.

The family will be honoring him privately at the Cedar Park Cemetery.

Donations in his memory would be greatly appreciated to:

FASNY Firemen's Home, 125 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534

The Ghent Firehouse #1, 2230 Route 66, Ghent, NY 12075

Ghent VFW Toy Drive, Ghent, NY 12075' For on-line condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com