ORLO W. RANSOM "Tehoronionko"

 

AKWESASNE – Mr. Orlo W. Ransom, 81, of 253 State Route 37, peacefully passed away in his sleep on Friday morning, December 8, 2017 at his home.

Orlo was born August 4, 1936 in Malone, son of the late Noah M. and Sarah Jackson Ransom. He attended Mohawk School and later achieved his GED through Operation Education with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Salmon River Central School. Orlo proudly served his country in the US Army from June 16, 1955 until his honorable discharge on March 27, 1957, having served in Korea for a time. He married Alma C. Jacobs on June 14, 1958 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael K. Jacobs officiating.

Orlo was extremely active and respected within his community as a Life Member of both the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479 and the Gerald R. Roy AMVETS Post #4. He was also a Charter Member and Honorary Life Member of the Father Michael K. Jacobs Knights of Columbus 3rd Council #10423, serving several times as their Grand Knight and was a Sir Knight with the Our Lady of Victory 4th Degree Assembly # 711 in Malone. Orlo was also a member of the Akwesasne Death Benefits Group and the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens. As an active communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church, he was a member of the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Conference traveling to Rome for the Canonization of St. Kateri. Orlo and his wife were Elders at the Six Nations Agricultural Society at the New York State Fair, where they were instrumental in honoring the deceased Native American Veterans annually. As an avid snowmobiler when he was younger, Orlo was once the President of the Mohawk Pathfinders Snowmobile Club.

In 1957, Orlo joined Ironworkers Local #440 in Utica, where he continued to hold his card after retiring in 1985, giving him 60 years of membership. At one time he was a Harley-Davidson Snowmobile Dealer and a handyman who enjoyed small engine repair, and tractors. Orlo was a distinguished carpenter, doing many renovation projects and building many homes around the community including his own. He enjoyed travelling and horse pulls at the local fairs.

Orlo is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alma; his two children, Chrystal Cree and her husband, Frank of Akwesasne; and William T. Ransom and his wife, Kim Rocheford of Massena; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; three sisters, Angie Sunday, Sheila Ransom, and Sherri Herne; and two brothers, Gordon Ransom and Noah Ransom, Jr., all of Akwesasne; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Orlo was predeceased by two siblings in infancy, Nelson and Noreen Ransom; and his brother Manfred Ransom on June 14, 2017.

Friends called at the family home from Sunday until Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the St. Regis Catholic Church on Tuesday with Rev. Jerome Pastores celebrating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Akwesasne.

As an avid supporter of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to them.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.

 

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