May 14, 1949 — April 27, 2024
Belfast- Ronald W. Sprague “Loving Husband, Father & Grandfather”
Ronald W. Sprague passed away suddenly on April 27, 2024, at Jones Memorial Hospital.
Ron was born in Salamanca on May 14, 1949, to William and Marjorie Buckley Sprague. On September 2, 1972, he married Jessie Sanford, who survives.
Ron graduated from Little Valley Central in 1967 and SUNY Cobleskill in 1969 where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture. He went on to serve in the US Army in Daegu, South Korea where he was a medical records clerk. Ron was honorably discharged in 1971. Ron became co-owner and operator of the Regency Reupholstery in Schenectady, and later owned Century Upholstery in Olean.
Ron was a person who devoted his life to improving others’ lives. He worked for several years at the Cattaraugus Rehabilitation Center from which he retired in 2014. Ron and Jessie were foster and adoptive parents who focused on keeping sibling groups together. Their most recent adoption was in April of 2023 when the adopted a former foster child who grew up having never found a family.
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Jessie, and nine children: Erin (Doug) Parsley, Scot (Kim Duquette) Sokolowski-Sprague, Heather (Jim Rinderle) Balcom, Tracy Sprague, Ethan (April Murphy) Sprague, Dustin Sprague, Jessica Sprague, Michael (Anndrea Burgess) Sprague, and Steven Sprague, 14 grandchildren, a brother, Bruce (Patty Anderson) Sprague, 2 nieces, and one nephew.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, a son, Ryan Sprague, a granddaughter, Breanna Love, and a brother Thomas Sprague.
At Ron’s request, there will be no funeral, but family and friends are asked to join Ron’s family for a Celebration of Life at the Cuba VFW, 5425 Route 305, on May 18, 2024, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm Feel free to bring some homemade cookies or other desserts to share. A military graveside service will be held for the family at an earlier time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Genesee Parkway, Cuba, NY 14727. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com
Donations may be made to the SPCA serving Allegany County at 5440 Route 19, Belmont, NY 14813, the Cattaraugus County SPCA at 2944 Route 16, Olean, NY 14727, or the Animal Friends at 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
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