Edward Ralph Dunbar
Jan. 25, 1920-Oct. 16, 2012
LAURENS — Edward Ralph Dunbar, 92, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Bassett Hospital on Oct. 16, 2012, after a brief illness.
He was born in Kingston, to Henry Fowler and Ilse (Knauth) Dunbar.
After graduating from SUNY Cobleskill, he worked briefly in the Syracuse area before joining the Army during World War II, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. On his return to the U.S., he took a job at GLF in Delhi, where he met the love of his life, Mabelle Louise Oliver. She became his wife on Jan. 25, 1947, for 62 blessed years of marriage.
Together, he and Mabelle, embarked on a lifetime career of dairy farming and raising a strong and close knit family. Both Ned and Mabelle were 4-H leaders. They were recognized many times for their contributions of 60 plus combined years of leadership and commitment to the principles of 4-H. They nurtured the skills of 450 plus young people over three decades.
Ned served as Justice of the Peace for the Town of Meredith for several years in the 1970s. He also served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Meredith Insurance Company.
Ned and Mabelle retired from active farming in 1987, and moved to Laurens. There they continued to raise young stock, raised blueberries, a big garden and enjoyed many “Family Get Togethers.” During the late 1980s, Ned was a member of the Zoning Board in Laurens, and he and Mabelle volunteered at the Laurens Library.
Ned and Mabelle also collaborated in making hand crafted and painted wood products.
Ned was predeceased by his wife, Mabelle in 2008; his brother, Jim; and his sister, Alice.
He is survived by his children, Barbara (Robert) Bristow, Nancy (William) Barlow, Margaret “Peg” Dunbar, Robert (Suellen) and Donald (Tonda) Dunbar; nine grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; and his sisters, Eva (Ralph) Bailey, Suzanne (Carroll) Barrymore, and Violet Donaldson. He is also survived by in-laws, Bill (Corky) Oliver, Jean (Oliver) Cole; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
During Ned’s most recent years, as a widower, he was excellently cared for by his daughter, Margaret, who moved in so that he could remain living in his Laurens home. She made sure that every day of Ned’s life was lived with the best quality possible.
The family wishes to extend our deep appreciation and thanks to Dr. Dietz, the surgical team, Dr. David Marrow and the staff of the ICU for their excellent care during his brief stay in the hospital.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at the Covered Bridge Gardens, in Unadilla.
To honor his memory, the family suggests that you extend kindness to others and make time for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice which gave the family so much support when Mabelle passed away or give to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home in Oneonta.
