Surrounded by his family, Ralph E. Dewey, 82, finished his earthly race on Aug. 29, 2024, and entered the presence of his Savior after battling months-long health challenges. The longtime history teacher, athletic coach, administrator, and mentor, left an indelible impact.
Friends may call on Friday, Sept. 6, from 4-7 p.m. at Zion Fellowship, 5188 Bristol Road, Canandaigua, where a celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Sat. Sept. 7 and broadcast live on the Zion Fellowship YouTube channel. A private burial with military honors, in Overackers Cemetery, Middlesex, will precede the service.
Ralph was born Dec. 2, 1941, to the late Ralph and Eleanor (Marriott) Dewey of Geneva. A 1959 graduate of Geneva High School, Ralph played baseball and football, and sports became a lifelong delight. At SUNY Brockport, he played hockey and earned a B.S. in Education. In his first job at Middlesex Valley Central School, Ralph taught high school history. In his second and third year, he coached the boys' varsity basketball team to back-to-back Section V Class C championship titles.
In 1966, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving primarily at bases in Virginia and Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict, coordinating soldiers' sports and recreation among other duties. After his honorable discharge as a staff sergeant in 1970, he returned to Marcus Whitman Central School, reassigned to junior high history. On the first day of in-service training, he met Shirley Ann Brasted, the junior high science teacher. They were married May 1, 1971.
Ralph earned his permanent teacher certification that year at Brockport, completed masters courses in education, and began courses in administration. As he and Shirley raised their children, he marked 20 years at Whitman, primarily in high school history. Ralph also invested many seasons as assistant or head coach for the Wildcats' freshman and varsity football, freshman basketball, and modified baseball teams, serving as athletic director from 1978-86.
In 1986, he became director at LeTourneau Christian Conference Center in Rushville, where he and the full-time and seasonal staff hosted ministry retreats and camps. When a 1996 fire destroyed the family home and Dining Hall, Ralph led the team through a resourceful summer of service amid construction before returning to a second teaching career, at Lima Christian School.
In addition to his 9th–11th-grade U.S. History and Global Studies classes, he also taught AP history courses to LCS students through Genesee Community College. He again served as a boys' basketball coach, first for JV players, then varsity. His 1999-2000 and 2000-01 teams won Section V titles in Class D. In 2000, Ralph received Class D Coach of the Year honors.
Ralph's time at LCS included roles as athletic director, assistant principal and, in 2004, principal. After retiring in 2009, Ralph returned to teach history part-time for the next five years, with multiple stints as a head basketball coach and assistant coach to former players.
He returned to LeTourneau as interim director from August 2014 through February 2015, remaining on the board of directors into 2023.
A longtime member, Sunday School teacher, and deacon at Middlesex Baptist Church, Ralph joined Crossroads (formerly Lima Baptist) Church during his tenure as LCS principal. As a veteran and patriot, Ralph also served as an Ontario County elections inspector.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley; his daughters Rachel, Debbie (Dave) Eckert, and Terri; his son Nathan (Emily) Dewey; seven grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Martin (Evelyn) Brasted, and Lee (Martha) Brasted; sisters-in-law, Lucile (Fran) Clancy; Ellie (Dick) Bossard and Ellen (Jon) Horton; numerous Brasted nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents, aunt and uncle Geraldine and George Dewey, nephew Chad Clancy, and niece Diane Brasted Kempf.
Ralph was a servant-leader, mentor, storyteller - and lover of his Savior, his family, his sports teams, word search puzzles, Pontillo's Pizza, and Diet Coke.
"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." – Matthew 6:33
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Lima Christian School or to LeTourneau Christian Center. Funeral arrangements are by the Kenneth J. Perkins Funeral Home.
