Obituary of Ralph H. Sherry

Ralph Harmon Sherry, 65, of 109 Henrietta Boulevard, passed away Monday morning August 8th in Asheville N.C. following a lengthy illness. Ralph was born on June 24, 1946 in New London, Connecticut. He was the son of Rear Admiral Harmon Sherry and Mildred Saunders Sherry. Ralph served in the US Navy Submarine Service as a Petty Officer Sonar Operations during the Viet Nam War era. An accomplished musician, Ralph played bass guitar in many Capitol District bands including The Motions, Fox, and The Cosmic Messengers. In 1973 Ralph co-founded, with his friend Terry Lester, "This is a Recording", a new sound studio in Schenectady, NY. This studio evolved, in 1975, into Cathedral Sound Studio. Cathedral Sound became the premier recording studio in the Capitol District. As an audio engineer, Ralph worked with every major department in New York State government, all the major advertising agencies, and on political campaigns including that of Congressman Sam Stratton. He was a precise and intuitive audio engineer, highly sought -after and respected by countless musicians. His clients included Dizzie Gillespie, Benny Goodman, The Byrds, The Empire State Youth Orchestra and the Newport Jazz Festival. In 1991, Ralph recorded HEARTS OF FIRE, the work of Amsterdam composer Maria Riccio Bryce. As they worked together on the project, Ralph became a dear friend- and, eventually, her brother in law. A decade later, Ralph recorded THE AMSTERDAM ORATORIO, generously donating his time and expertise to masterfully preserve Maria's music for future generations. Ralph was a kind, intelligent man who loved reading and the study of science and philosophy. He was a great admirer of the work of Joseph Campbell. He was an avid gardener, cook and astronomer. Throughout his life, Ralph owned many dogs. He valued their companionship, and mourned the loss of each. Ralph is survived by his wife, Constance Riccio of Amsterdam, his four children; Kendall Sherry of Charleston, South Carolina; Zachary Sherry Beth of El Cerrito, California; and Caleb and John Sherry both of Amsterdam. He is also survived by three brothers; Robert, John and Arthur Sherry; and by three grandsons; Benjamin, Nathan and Jack Harmon Sherry. He leaves five sisters- in- law; Flo and Jessica Sherry, Maria Riccio Bryce, Michela Riccio and Sophie Kevin Kozak; many nieces and nephews; dear friends Darlene Downing, Otto Suwara, Greg Barrier, John Allen and Robert von Hasseln. Ralph's wife Constance would like to thank Dr. John Ruiz and Community Hospice of Amsterdam for the tender and compassionate care shown to Ralph in the last year of his life. Calling hours are Sunday August 21st from 4-6 pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. A memorial service will take place at 5pm. Contributions may be made in Ralph's memory to The Amsterdam Marching Rams in care of the funeral home.