Fillmore - Ralph Herbert Cox, a former resident of Fillmore,
died peacefully on June 27, 2018 with his family by his side in Morgan Estates,
Geneseo. He was born on May 19, 1927 in Hagerstown, Maryland, a son of the late
Joseph H. and Olive B. Barker Cox. On
August 21, 1948 he married V. Rosalea VanDruff who survives.
Ralph, the oldest of 14 children, and his family moved from
his birthplace in Hagerstown, Maryland back to New York when he was very young.
After attending Nunda School, Ralph enlisted in the Navy in 1945 where he spent
14 months serving on the following ships; SS Fairisle, a troop ship; the USS
Dixie, a destroyer tender and the flagship of the 7th fleet; and the USS
Orvetta. He was stationed at the naval operating base in Shanghai before
returning to the states.
Ralph met Rose and they married in 1948. They settled in
Barkertown, Nunda where they began to raise their children and eventually
settled in Fillmore where they spent the next 40 years. Ralph found employment
driving truck for Worster Motor Lines and he drove truck for his father
carrying sawdust for Carborundum Company in Niagara Falls. In later years he
worked for Frank R. Hall and Mobil hauling fuel. In 1966, he and Rose opened
their first NAPA store, Nunda Auto Parts, in Nunda. They grew their business
and eventually owned 5 NAPA stores in various towns with their son Randy. They
have celebrated 52 years owning the business this year and their son Randy
continues on with this legacy.
Ralph served on many committees and was involved in many
community activities. He was a member of the Nunda Station Lodge 682, Rotary
Club, Shriners, Cuba Hospital Board of Directors, Nunda School Board and was
actively involved with the Handicapped Children’s Camp.
Surviving in addition to his loving wife of nearly 70 years
are their six children, Gary Cox of Florida, Larry (Pam) Cox of Anderson, SC,
Janice (William) Hudson of Nunda, Randy (Marcie) Cox of Nunda, Jody (Chandler)
Cutting of Elizabethtown, PA, Renee (David) Fanaro of Leicester, 14
grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren three brothers, Phil, Don, and Roger Cox,
six sisters, Lois, Eva, Eleanor, Ginny, Betty Jean and Barbara and many nieces
and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by 3 brothers
Ronald, Jack & Joseph Cox and a sister, Mary Jane.
Friends and family may gather from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home,
21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore where a Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
that evening. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 10:00
a.m. the Oakland Wesleyan Church. Chandler Cutting, Ralph’s son-in-law, will
officiate. Burial with Military Honors will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Nunda.
Memorials if desired to: Sunshine Camp, Rochester Rotary
Charitable Trusts.
180 Linden Oaks, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14625, Livingston
County Hospice or the Brooks Hose Fire Department, Fillmore.
