Ralph Denison Keeney III, 68, of Virgil, New York passed peacefully with his daughter Lindsay Stevens by his side on Nov. 18. Ralph was born in Somers to Janet and Lafayette Keeney on Sept. 15, 1952. As a child, Ralph spent his time wave jumping in his Boston Whaler, organizing school dances, and protesting the war.
Later, he moved to the Virgil Valley and attended Ithaca College. While earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology, Ralph taught skiing at Greek Peak in the winter and painted houses in Ithaca in the summer. Ralph and Cathy Keeney married in April of 1984 and would spend the next 36 years together raising 5 children and 10 grandchildren without ever experiencing a bout of controversy or dismay. Pulling strength from one another they were “all in” for each other all the time.
Ralph was passionate about spending time at the family cottage in Fenwick on the Connecticut shore, fishing, and golfing. In retirement, Ralph settled into a blissful routine of projects and activities the shore provided, revitalizing the cottage for future generations to enjoy. Ralph and Cathy would move in early spring and stay until the cold would freeze them out in the fall. He enjoyed fly fishing for trout on the west branch of the Delaware River, bonefishing on Acklins Island in the Bahamas, and spinning for striped bass and bluefish in the Long Island Sound. Ralph was always an avid golfer, winning the Junior Warden’s Cup in 1967 and the prestigious Morgan Cup in 2010. This past summer, Ralph, Cathy, and a lucky guest or two played the first tee time of the day, every day.
Ralph is survived by his wife Cathy, 5 children, and 10 grandchildren: Tracy (Abbey) Keeney and their three children Emma, Tess, and Jackson; Lindsay (Daniel) Stevens and their three children Zoe, Dahlia, and Lark; Christopher (Sarah) Williams and their two children Maxwell and Nora; Logan (Kristie) Keeney and their two children Poppie and Thomas; and Alexis Keeney. He is also survived by his two brothers Frank (Beverly) Keeney and Jeffrey (Caryn) Keeney and a large village of friends and extended family.
The family would like to thank all of the individuals that have supported us during this difficult time. The notion that “it takes a village” has never rung so loud, to name everyone would be impossible here, but we thank you all dearly. The doctors and nurses that supported and cared for Ralph during his battle are real-life superheroes. COVID-19 has created an empty space in so many families; our hearts and prayers go out to those struggling with this pandemic.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s name can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or the charity of your choice. Please send hospital donations in memory of Ralph Keeney to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Office of Development at P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087 or giving.mskcc.org. Donations may be made out to “Memorial Sloan Kettering.” Please indicate the name of the honoree in the memo line of the check.
The family also notes that while Ralph battled multiple myeloma and lung cancer, it was ultimately COVID-19 that took his life. We share this information as motivation for everyone to continue to make good choices as we combat this deadly virus.
Due to COVID-19, the family will be holding a private service in Virgil this winter and a celebration of Ralph’s life in Connecticut next summer.
