Ralph J. Koons
August 23, 1960 - November 6, 2021

"Condolences to Gene and Mary for your loss ? "

"To the Koons family: So very sorry to hear about Ralph. I went to school with him and you were our neighbors on Evelyn St., in gates. I remember Ralph being a funny and nice guy. May he rest in peace. My condolences. "

"My thoughts are with the family and friends. I played against and with Ralph for many years. Our road trips to AZ, FL, and Vegas were memorable. Whether you knew him for a day or your whole life he considered you a friend. God bless. Daryl Wolf "

"My heartfelt condolences again to the family as I was with them the day he passed. I was privileged to have known and to call Ralph my best friend. I?m sure there are many who consider Ralph their best friend; he was that kind of person. Ralph, RJ to some, Ralphie boy to others, was warm, friendly, kind, generous, funny and most of all LUCKY. He was the luckiest person I ever knew and boy was I glad to hang on to his coat tails at the casinos?. Meeting Ralph at a new job back in 1988 or so was a blessing in disguise. We instantly became friends when he thought I scammed him with an out of business batting cage token for a Mt. Dew from the company soda machine he controlled. I swear I didn?t know they were out of business. It wasn?t long after that my family and I invited him to his first visit to Saratoga Racetrack where he got to park the Ford Escort between the Mercedes and the BMW in the owners lot super close to the entrance. Later that day in the last race of the last day of the meet he bet on a horse named Red Hot Ralph who won at big odds. Ralph cleaned up as usual and fell in love with Saratoga that day. The nick name Red Hot Ralph was born. We have been making trips to Saratoga ever since. It won?t be the same without Red Hot Ralph. Covid ruined my 34 year streak, but Ralph made it there without me. I convinced Ralph to come try the raviolis at Rocky?s Restaurant one day for lunch. Well, Ralph and I, along with others, made Rocky?s a Thursday tradition for the next 30 years! Others came and went, but Ralph and I were pretty consistent and right up until his last sickness Ralph was there just about every Thursday afternoon for the ravs. Every Thursday they were always, ?the best ever?. I will miss Ralph really bad as he seems to be in most activities of my life. We played softball and baseball together. We are in the same fantasy baseball and football leagues. We get in the same March Madness and football pools. Together we have been to Breeders Cup races, Camden Yards, Yankee Stadium, Bruins games, Hall of Fame inductions, golf trips, Canadian Opera, Notre Dame, Las Vegas, poker games and so much more. He cooked at my wedding, filmed my son?s First Communion (when it wasn?t Barb?s leg), attended my parents funerals. He was such a huge part of my life and he will never be able to be replaced. I?m fortunate to have been introduced to a wonderful group of people through Ralph who are also my friends. I will certainly keep in touch with them and continue to talk about, relish and treasure the memories we shared with our Ralphie Boy. Most important of all, Ralph was truly a man of God. He knew he was going to heaven when his number was called. I?m sure he is up there now, catching and taking control of a baseball game, telling the manager how to run the team (and he?s right), getting on a first name basis with the umpires and simply having a grand ole time. Save a spot on the team for me Ralph, I?ll be there soon enough. Godspeed and RIP my faithful friend. Just like those ravioli?s you will always be the best ever. "

"Thank you for all of the great life advice throughout my whole life. You were always there when I needed words of wisdom and they were always filled with love. I love you and will miss you and your beautiful soul and smile. Godspeed Ralphie, Kate ?"

"Hannah, Gene, Billy, Cindy and family.... so heartbroken to hear about Ralph. Keeping you all in our hearts and wishing there was a way to stop yours from breaking. Such a wonderful man, father, brother, son and friend. He is with his love and at peace. ?"

"My sincere condolences go out to Ralph?s loved ones. He was such a sweet teddy bear of a man. I will always remember Ralph teaching me how to drive in the Trowbridge parking lot. I am so thankful I had a chance to see him last year. Gene, I am sending hugs and prayers. "

"To Ralph?s loved ones and to those who were in my life both personally and professionally, Gene and Cindy, I am so sorry for your loss. The love you share with each of your family members is inspirational and such a wonderful blessing. My prayers are being sent to you and Ralph. I pray your sorrow becomes less painful each day knowing Ralph is at Peace and is surrounded by loved ones. God Bless Ralph and God Bless those who knew and loved him. "

"His smile , His hugs, oh how I will miss them. He could always make me feel better Karen Sperr"

"We love you Uncle Ralph! The DelNagro Family "

"He will be missed. He always had a big smile for everyone. "

"My heartfelt condolences go out to Hannah and the family at this most difficult time. As a teammate and friend of Ralph's for many years, I have never met anyone with a bigger heart. If anyone needed anything, Ralph was always the first to jump in and offer his help. He was definitely a people person. We played baseball together for the last 25 years or so. Between playing in our league in Rochester or traveling to Las Vegas or Arizona for the Men's World Series, Ralph was always a fixture. All of us on that team remember the 2010 championship when Ralph hit a sac fly to plate the winning run in the championship game against a team from California. That was the year that Ralph helped bring our second World Series championship home to Rochester. When we wear those 2010 Championship Rings, we will all remember Ralph. A great teammate and friend, but just a GREAT PERSON. Love you Ralphie. Vernon VanSkiver"