Basil M. Ritter

Forestport- Basil M. Ritter, 86, a long-time resident of O’Brien Road, passed away, while surrounded by the loving care of his family, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica.

Basil’s exact words: “IT WAS A HELL OF A RIDE!”

A native and life resident of Forestport, Basil was born on January 27, 1937, a son of Guy E. and Vera E. Kervin Ritter. He received his education at Forestport Central School, where he enjoyed participating on the high school Red Raider Basketball and Baseball teams.

From 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1959, Mr. Ritter served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Alaska, Okinawa and Texas. From 1959, until his honorable discharge, he served in the Air Force Reserves.

On July 26, 1960, Basil married Judith Haney, at St. Mary of the Snows Church, Otter Lake. Later the couple were divorced.

In 1960, he began his long and distinguished career as a heavy equipment operator for many road constructions companies in central and northern New York. He was last employed for many years for Rifenburg Construction Company, Troy, NY, retiring in 2005. During his career, Mr. Ritter worked on road construction projects including, reconstruction of State Rt. 28, in the Town of Webb, initial construction of The Adirondack Northway, Rt. 690, State Fair Extension, New York State Thruway, at Little Falls, State Rt. 12 reconstruction of the new Rt. 12 highway over Deerfield Hill, the Osceola Road, as lastly in the construction of the Oneida-Herkimer County Landfill in the Town of Ava.

Through his love of Baseball, Basil, with other Forestport area residents was instrumental in the construction of the Forestport Ball Field, on Dutch Hill Road. He also played American Legion Baseball for the Forestport Town Team, later participating on the Vans Tavern Fast Pitch Softball Team. He was an avid Boston Red Socks fan.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Forestport. Basil greatly enjoyed snowmobiling with his family and was a founding and life member of the Trackside Blazers Snowmobile Club. He was an avid and life-long hunter, fisherman, trapper and greatly enjoyed time spent at his hunting camp. He was also a well-known area pilot, beginning his flying hobby flying ultra-light planes and later enjoying flying his Piper Cub.

Basil’s greatest joy in his life was spending time with his children and their families. He relished teaching his grandchildren about heavy equipment, and sharing his hunting and fishing stories. He is survived by his children: son and daughter in law, Frederick “Rick” (Joanne Kwasniewski), Forestport; daughter and son in law, Debra (William) Lyon, Prospect, daughter, Michele Ritter, daughter Joann Ritter, both of Forestport; grandchildren, Joseph “Jody” Ritter, Andrea (Andy), Gleason, and Emily Swancott, William (Willy) and Weyland Shutts, Bradley (Brad) and Erik Porter, Alexis (Lexi) and Adrienne (Rebi), Lyon and nine great grandchildren and nieces, nephews, three sisters in law; Geraldine Ritter, Ann Ritter and Marilyn Ritter, all of Forestport and a host of friends.

He was the last surviving sibling of a family of six brothers and five sisters; Lawrence Larry “Skeet” Ritter, who passed away on January 24, 2023, William “Pistol” Ritter, Bryan “Yump” Ritter, Ronald “Ronnie” Ritter, Frederick Ritter and Robert who passed away in infancy; sisters, Gail Ritter, Euritha Bagg, Joyce Pfendler, Mary Casey and Jane Ritter and a granddaughter, Whitney Rachel Shutts.

A prayer service will be Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Matthew Rawson, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Church, Forestport. Interment later this spring will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Forestport. Calling hours are Tuesday, from 3-7 P.M. at the funeral home. Basil’s family are very grateful for the services of Forestport Fire Fighters, Woodgate Fire Department and STAR Ambulance. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Forestport Fire Fighters, Inc. 11965 River Road, Forestport, NY 13338, Woodgate Volunteer Fire Department, 12445 State Rt. 28, Woodgate, NY 13494 or to STAR Ambulance 917 Trenton Falls Street, Prospect, NY 13435.