Obituary of Ralph E. Fuller

Leaving a Legacy of Service and Faith Nearly two years ago, Ralph Fuller was diagnosed with stage four-pancreatic cancer. A much-loved man of quality and passion, he entered into the presence of the Lord on August 6th . He quietly slipped the bonds of this earth with his beloved wife at his side. While we mourn this life lost to us, we celebrate a life well lived. Ralph was one of nine children in a family that did not have a lot. They moved often when Ralph was growing up. After Ralph was hit by a car when he was 11, he was placed in foster care for a time. Many children grow up and continue down the same road their parents traveled. Ralph was determined to change that pattern. He had an unswerving desire to be there for his wife and kids, and as he matured in his faith in Christ, that desire was bolstered by a deep faith in God's promises. After high school he attended Broome Community College, got a job, and married his high school sweetheart, Carol Palmer. He was coming of age at a time when opposition to the Vietnam War bitterly divided Americans and the U.S. military was drafting more young men everyday. As far as Ralphie and his brothers knew, no one in the family history had joined the military via conscription. Five of the Fuller uncles served in the military during WWII and all came home with honors. In the '60s, two of Ralph's older brothers were already Special Forces, enlisted, and serving willingly. In 1965, it was no surprise when Ralphie enlisted and passed all the challenges to serve in the U.S. Army's Green Beret Special Forces Battalion. He didn't realize it at the time, but this would be the start of a legacy of service. After being promoted five times and reaching the E5 level, he left the military with the realization that his calling was not to take lives, but to save lives. Now, home from the military his focus was on supporting his young family. He took a job as a quality control technician with the Ansco Camera Factory in Johnson City. Oh how he hated it, but he stuck with it for eight years working seven days a week, and alternating three shifts with an occasional day off, because the pay enabled him to support his family well. "Ralphie" as his wife Carol would call him (and eventually most everyone who knew him), built a new house and the family moved from their apartment in Kirkwood to Conklin. They raised their two sons, Tom and Jim in this new home that would be Ralphie's home for the rest of his life. As the boys started to grow, their proud papa wanted to find a job where he would enjoy going to work. His time in the military had helped him recognize that he felt a calling to serve. In 1976, he applied to be a State Trooper and passed the exam, but responsibilities, after the deaths of both of his and Carol's fathers within a month of taking the test, put a kibosh on those plans. Once life settled back down, he took the exam to join the Binghamton Fire Department as a professional fire fighter/first responder. He was hired, and loved the job right from the first minute. During his 29 years of service, along with being a dedicated fire fighter, he studied to be an EMT, and then trained to rise to the level of paramedic. He was an outstanding first responder honored by both the mayor of Binghamton and the NYS Senate. His words, deeds, generosity, and humility, were demonstrated in so many ways. From time to time he would share the stories of delivering babies, treating injuries, talking someone down off a roof, and the occasional clash with danger. Once someone tried to stab him between the eyes with a bayonet. Several times he ripped open a shirt to start CPR, only to be confronted with a pistol stuck in the patient's waistband. Very few people know how often he lent a helping hand to someone in need. He never saw himself as anything other than the average guy, and never boasted of his achievements, or the help he gave to those in need. He was an everyday hero, just doing what he could and endearing himself to people everywhere. As teachers often have a former student rush up to them with glowing reminders of the differences they made in young lives, it was not unheard of for someone to recognize Ralphie after his 47 years as a paramedic. Ralph and Carol could be at a ballgame or at restaurant or just about anywhere when someone would come up to Ralphie and throw their arms around him and thank him for saving them from a drug overdose or saving them after a cardiac arrest. The person would go on to how he or she had changed their life for the better or thank him for giving them more years with the people they loved. Ralph didn't just serve on the job. He has always been very active in his church, Conklin Presbyterian, where he has served as a youth leader, deacon and elder—and could often be seen painting walls (once even the whole building) or shoveling snow. He has loved being a parent to his two sons. Some of his favorite times in life involve joking around with his boys, bragging a little about their achievements in sports, one son was a standout wrestler, the other an achiever in cross country and track. He was so proud of the parents they had become, and the success found in their careers. Few things brought him the great joy that he found in being a grandfather. He greatly enjoyed his life with Carol, a preschool teacher who often drafted Ralphie for show & tell as a fireman and paramedic. They were married for 59 years and countless people will remember the fun times they had at the Fuller house, a great place for parties, and a place where the door was always open to their friends and family, and their boys' friends. Ralphie often expressed how grateful he was for family and friends, especially after being diagnosed with cancer. In their later years, and even after he got sick, Ralphie and Carol were able to travel around the world experiencing different cultures, seeing the sights, and treasuring the time together. He spent several years, pre-COVID-19, lending a helping hand to smaller ambulance squads that were experiencing a shortage of manpower. His leadership skills brought the Conklin Kiwanis Club back to life where he has served as vice president and president. When he retired from the Binghamton Fire Department in 2004, he joined the Conklin Vol. Fire Department, serving on the med team for 18 years. He also served as the fire department chaplain. For years he served on the Broome County Stress Debriefing Team helping counsel those first responders who were exposed to abnormal and horrific situations. Both Ralphie and Carol were involved with the Broome County Veterans Honor Flights that took older veterans to the Washington, D.C. veterans' memorials, free of charge. He was an avid runner for 50 years, encouraging others to adopt a healthy lifestyle (although he did admit to a lifetime love for doughnuts and lots of good coffee). His careful journals, starting in 1968, document running at least 81,000 miles He loved long distance running, 5K's, 10K's, marathons, and triathlons. Ralphie worked hard to ensure his life was not wasted. When he learned in 2022 that he had pancreatic cancer, he was determined to live each day to the fullest, asking his Lord to help him live each day in a way that would bring others to God. He was unwavering as he looked his illness in its face and built a closer relationship with God because of it. He used his illness to remind others that everyone will face death and the time to think about eternity is now. Ralph Fuller touched so many lives, that it has been impossible to address all the ways. Surely, he can claim for himself 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Ray and Gladys Fuller, and brothers: Ray, Hugh, David, and Curtiss. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Carol Palmer Fuller; his sons Tom (Susan) and Jim "Jake" (Stephanie); Grandchildren: Abigail, Hannah, Margaret, Edward, Katherine, and William; Siblings: Dionne (Fred) Parker, Dr. Marie Walker, Marlene (Tom) Svoboda, and Merwin (Kristin) Fuller, as well has many nieces and nephews that he dearly loved. Calling hours are on Friday, August 9th from 4 to 7 at the Conklin Presbyterian Church 1175 Conklin Road. A memorial service, with full military honors, will be held on Saturday August 10th at at 11 a.m. at the Church Even after his death, Ralph is still giving. It was his wish that his body be used for medical education and research with the understanding that this gift helps build knowledge and leads to amazing medical advances. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Retired Professional Firefighters Cancer Fund, 4 Loretta Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905.