Obituary of Ronald E. Gotham

Ronald E. Gotham, 75, passed away Sunday afternoon at his home on Route 147 in Galway with his loving family at his side. His former residence, of 39 years, was on Truax Road in Amsterdam, until he moved to Galway in 1999. He also had a winter home in Bradenton, Fl. Ron was born June 21, 1935 in Hermon, NY and was the son of the late Reta Brundage and Fay H. Gotham. He was a graduate of Watertown High School and was a Korean War Veteran, where he served in the United States Navy for eight years. He owned and operated the State Farm Insurance Ronald Gotham Agency in Amsterdam, for 38 years, until retiring in 1999. He was awarded the top State Farm Insurance Quality Agent for 25 years. Ron was a former member of the Cranesville Reformed Church and was a member of the Calvary Reformed Church in Hagaman. He also was a former member of the Amsterdam JCs, Inman Senior Choir, Manatee County Sandpiper Barbershop Choir in Bradenton, Fl. and he was at one time a very active member of the Cranesville Vol. Fire Department. Ron enjoyed hunting , fishing and enjoyed a good game of golf with his buddies. On August 1, 1953 he married the former Dawn E. Thomas. Besides his wife he is also survived by a son Robert E. and Rosemary Gotham of Watervliet; three daughters Diane M. and Michael Palmateer of Galway, Linda L. and Allen Butterfield of Malta, and Colleen A. Weil and John Bartyzel of Amsterdam; a sister Marion Poste of Rancho Cordova, CA. Thirteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ron was predeceased by a son Thomas E. Gotham, who passed away July 23, 2010, a brother Frederick Gotham and a sister Gertrude Tanner. A memorial service will be held Wednesday September 29, 2010 at 1pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY with the Rev. Stanley Craig officiating. Cremation will take place at Vale Crematorium. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 11am to 1pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions made be made in Ron?s memory to Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny?s Corners Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010; Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY; Galway Vol. Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 202, Galway, NY 12074 and Galway Vol. Fire Co., Inc., P.O. Box 151, Galway, NY 12074.