Olean- Lawrence Scott Ralston “loving father, granddad and brother”
L. Scott Ralston, 68, of 211 Irving Street, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer.
Born in Framingham, MA on September 29, 1954, Scott was the son of Hance “Larry” and Henrietta Pirie Ralston. He was a 1972 graduate of Portville Central School where he was an outstanding three sport athlete, known mostly for his time on the basketball court and football field. Scott went on to attend Bethany College.
On August 11, 1979 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Olean, he married the love of his life, Debra J. Mosher, who predeceased him on August 3, 2015. They spent 35 years devoted to their vows, "All that I am, I share with you." Together they raised three children, Adam, Joel, and Katie, who each gave Scott an immense amount of pride and fulfillment. Scott’s happiest moments in recent years were those spent as “Granddad” to his 4 beautiful grandchildren, Cali, Tyler, Jonah, and Elijah.
Scott spent the first half of his career employed at Dresser Rand and retired from Olean Wholesale in February 2019 after about 20 years as the night Receiving Manager. Early in his life, Scott played on the local softball leagues and in local bowling leagues. The one pastime, however, that Scott never seemed to get enough of was golf. Scott was a member of Elkdale Country Club for many years, and his summers consisted of time on the course with his brothers and friends.
Scott is survived by and will be sorely missed by his three children, Adam (Katie) Ralston of Waterford, CT, Joel (Katherine) Ralston of South Bend, IN, and Katie Ralston of Olean; four beloved grandchildren, Cali Ann, Tyler Scott, Jonah Louis, and Elijah Ethan; four brothers, Richard W. (Marsha) Ralston of Wentzville, MO, Wayne L. Ralston of Galena, KS, Allan H. (Debbie) Ralston of Olean, and Gregory J. Ralston of Randolph; three brothers-in-law, Douglas J. Mosher, Keith R. (Diane) Mosher, both of Olean and Kevin R. (Becky) Mosher of Little Valley; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Along with Debbie, his wife of 35 years, Scott was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, William J. Ralston on July 5, 2013 and David L. Ralston on December 29, 2019.
Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State Street on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, at which time a funeral service will be held. The Rev. Kim Rossi, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Scott’s name to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (https://tinyurl.com/GiveScotty), The Genesis House of Olean, PO Box 139, Olean, NY, 14760, and Bethany Lutheran Church, 6 Leo Moss Drive, Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com