ASHVILLE – Ralph I. Whitney, 72, of Rt. 394, Ashville, died unexpectedly Monday (May 9, 2016) at WCA Hospital.

He was born April 10, 1944 in Batavia, NY, the son of the late Paul and Dorothy Coates Whitney.

He was a veteran of the US Army and served in the Vietnam War.

Ralph was a History teacher for the former Chautauqua Central School (CCS) and for Chautauqua Lake Central School (CLCS). He was a former coach for the CCS boys' volleyball and girls' volleyball and softball teams. Ralph had also been the timekeeper at CLCS basketball games. He had also been a volleyball official for games and tournaments throughout Chautauqua and surrounding counties.

He was a member of the AMVETS in Jamestown where he played the bugle for the Honor Guard, and where he served as the Chaplain. He was also a member of the Chautauqua Lake Horseshoe Club, and the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association. Ralph was the Deputy Supervisor and Councilman for the Town of North Harmony.

Ralph was a sportsman who enjoyed baseball, football, hockey, playing horseshoes, and camping. He loved his family.

He is survived by his wife Sandra Focer Whitney whom he married April 19, 1975 in Sherman, NY; five children, Robert A. Knight of Stockholm, Sweden, Michael R. (Jennifer L.) Behr of North Fayette Township, PA, Amy S. (Steve R.) Samuelson of Sidney, Neb., Sherry B. (Tim) Silcox of Cary, NC, and Michael R. Whitney of Austin, TX; four grandchildren, Jordan, Sarah, Carter, and Michael; one brother, Donald P. (Sandra) Whitney of Fredericksburg, TX.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm Friday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be to The Wounded Warriors Project.

To leave a message or to light a candle for Ralph go to www.freayfuneralhome.com.