Ross K Bretsch, of Clayton, NY, died on Monday, April 20, 2009 in Melbourne, FL, where he lived during winter months.

He was born on October 1, 1921, near Omar, in the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County, NY, son of Harold J. and Mildred L. (Kittle) Bretsch.

Mr. Bretsch attended the Tanners Corners elementary country school and graduated from LaFargeville (NY) Central School in 1938.

He then worked at the Watertown G.L.F. (now Agway) on West Main Street.

He married Geneva ("Sally") C. Sykes, of Oswegatchie, NY, on January 12, 1942, at The Church of the Transfiguration (Episcopal) in New York City.

Mr. Bretsch was a World War ll veteran with service in the U.S.Army, stationed at Fort Niagara, NY, and Carlisle Barracks, PA. With a medical discharge, he operated the family dairy farm.

Following the war, his brother and he began and operated Bretsch Fuel and Lumber Co., until 1964, when he became head custodian of LaFargeville Central School, from which he retired.

An active carpenter, Mr. Bretsch built and operated rental cottages on the St. Lawrence River, near Clayton, NY. He served as a trustee of the LaFargeville United Methodist Church and a member of Clayton, NY UMC, Volunteer Fire Department, American Legion, and the Masonic Order, of LaFargeville. He enjoyed carpentry, flower gardening, square dancing, lapidary, travel, and the St. Lawrence River. He is survived by his wife, Geneva of Clayton, NY and Melbourne, FL; his daughter, Carol McCabe of Lighthouse Point, FL, retired; and sons, Wayne Bretsch of Annapolis, MD, retired and Dr. Ronald Bretsch, Norwood, NY, pro fessor at SUNY Potsdam; six grandchildren, Dr. Gregory Bath of Oakton, VA, Liesl Bailey of Voor heesville, NY, Douglas Bath of Vienna, VA, Dr. Kurt Bretsch of Southamp ton College, NY, Christina Bath of Vienna, VA and Aradia Bath of Arlington, VA; nine great-grandchiIdren, Adam and Aaron Bailey and Connor, Michael, Robert, Kayla, Avery, Rachel, and Emer son Bath; and three nephews, Lynn Bretsch, Carthage, NY; Lee Bretsch, LaFargeviIle, NY; and Larry Bretsch, Clayton, NY.

Predeceasing him were his brother, Lloyd H. Bretsch of LaFargeville, and his parents.

The funeral will be at First United Methodist Church, Melbourne, 110 East New Haven Avenue, at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 23rd to which all are invited.

There will be no calling hours. Burial will be at Brook side Cemetery, Watertown, NY. A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church, Clayton, NY, at the convenience of family and friends in the summer.

Brownlie Maxwell Funeral Home is serving the family, (321) 723-2345. www.brownliemaxwell.com
Published in FLORIDA TODAY on 4/21/2009