Ralph B. (Bud) Ness passed away on Saturday, Feb. 5^th in Crystal River Florida. He was born on April 3^rd, 1928 in Bath, NY to William and Marion Ness. He was predeceased by his brother William and has a younger brother Richard of Jamestown, NY.  Bud was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He was a devoted husband to his wife Beverly H. Ness of 62 years.

Bud and Beverly founded Ness Funeral Home in Trumansburg in 1950. Bud generously served the Trumansburg community as village trustee, as mayor, and was the village clerk for 11 years. Bud was a school bus driver for Trumansburg Central School for 17 years. In 1992, he retired and entrusted the ownership of Ness Funeral Home to Joseph L. Sibley.

In addition to his wife, Bud is survived by his four children and their families: Christopher “Kipper” and Mary Ness of Lockport, NY, and their 5 children, Matt and Heather Ness of Trumansburg, NY, and their 2 children, Mark B. and MarieElena Ness of Ambler, PA and their 3 children, and Regina “Reggie” and Doug Langley of Avondale, PA and their 2 children.  He is also survived by great-grand children, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Bud enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing. He was also a longtime member of   the Trumansburg Golf Club, the Rotary Club and the Elks club. 

The family will be present to receive friends on Friday, February 11, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg.  Mass will be celebrated by Father John Tokaz, OFM Cap at 11:00am on Saturday, February 12 at the St. James the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 17 Whig St, Trumansburg.

The family graciously accepts either flowers or contributions in Bud’s memory to the American Heart Association, 17 Technology Place, East Syracuse, NY 13057.