| Date of Birth | August 11, 1947 |
| Date Deceased | July 20, 2023 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | July 29, 2023 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home |
| Interment Location | Greenlawn Cemetery, South Dansville |
Ronald Vincent Faulkner
Ronald Vincent Faulkner, Hornell, NY, traded his pilot wings for heavenly wings on July 20, 2023.
Ron was born August 11, 1947, in North Hornell, NY to loving parents Vincent and Onalee (Helmer) Faulkner who predeceased him. Growing up on the family farm, he was dedicated to the responsibilities and work that family members shared, always doing his part and more.
Ron was a member of the 1965 class of Arkport Central School. He continued his education at Corning Community College where he graduated with honors in 1967. Knowing he would soon be drafted, Ron enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968. Ron’s excellent math and science knowledge provided him the opportunity to be trained as a flight navigator. He flew trans-oceanic and trans-continental flights. His love of flying was soon entrenched. Ron served a four-year tour of service as a Marine including life impacting time in Vietnam. When discharged, Ron, now passionate about flying, enrolled in Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He rapidly obtained pilot certification in many categories and graduated with honors.
Ron moved to Alaska. While working for Alaska Central Airways he honed his piloting expertise during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
It May of 1977 Ron was in a tragic motorcycle accident which left him not only blind but clinging to life with severe injuries. This of course was a most difficult time. Ron endured many surgeries, months of healing, rehabilitation, and uncertainties. It was a period of readjustment. Strong willed and determined, Ron learned a new life as a blind man. He went back to work continuing in aeronautics as the airport planner for the State of Alaska.
Focused and driven, Ron bought 6 acres of land, cleared an area of trees with a chainsaw, and oversaw construction of his first house. Utilizing and capitalizing on woodworking skills he learned in rehabilitation, Ron built customized cupboards, window frames, doors, and all else he needed for comfortable living. In 1999 he sold this house, moved back to his roots in NYS and built a new home complete with even more unique and beautiful wood projects. Never to be deterred by lack of sight, Ron was an avid traveler. He journeyed solo to many areas of the world including making several trips to Australia.
Ron’s great ambition was to serve his God. He sought the Lord’s guidance and faithfully embraced his calling to discipleship. He used opportunities as they were presented to him to share and lead others to faith. Ron cherished the special bonds of fellowship and relationships he made while doing the Lord’s work.
Ron will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his intense faith, his knowledge of the Bible, his attempt to always do the right thing. He had a unique sense of humor. He overcame life’s hardships with grace and humbleness. Even though distance separated them, beloved friends from Alaska, Australia, and other parts of the world were especially meaningful and integral in Ron’s life. These bonds of friendship gave him great comfort and joy.
Surviving Ron are his former wife, Patricia Alturo of Texas; siblings Mary Ellen (David) Clarke of Painted Post, NY and Dan Faulkner of Geneseo, NY; nieces Pamela Goins of Rock Hill, SC, Traci Langton of Indian Land, SC, and Christine Faulkner of Geneseo, NY; treasured great nephews DJ Langton, Noah Goins, and Matthew Langton all of SC; many beloved cousins.
Ron was especially blessed with a very special close friend, Barbara Nowlan of Texas.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Saturday (July 29, 2023) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell where a Celebration of Life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, South Dansville, NY. All the services will be live streamed and may be seen either on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home or on the homepage of www.bishopdesanto.com (please see link for live stream) for 30 days beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday (July 29, 2023.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Ron’s family with the arrangements.
The United States flag and the Marine Corps flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Ron’s military service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to CareFirst (Hospice) 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Ron are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
My sincerest condolences to my neighbor Dan and his entire family! You have always spoken so well of your amazing brother who shared his talents so willingly with you and others! I will try and listen to the service on or after the 29th as I will be attending my brother’s memorial in Albany that day.
May you be blessed with wonderful memories of your lives together!
Dan and Mary Ellen,
I am so sorry you have lost your brother. I have one very clear and distinct memory of him, from nearly 60 years ago.
The day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated our basketball game went on as scheduled. The 1963 Arkport Blue Jay J.V. basketball team was undefeated. The game was tied; I think we were in overtime. We had possession of the ball. There would be time for only one game determining shot. I can’t tell you who the other two Blue Jays were on the floor, but I can tell you Lyle “Luke” McDaniel, Ronnie “Sleepy” Faulkner and I were there. Luke had the ball, I was open near the free throw line; Luke and I made eye contact. In a split second he must have recognized the fear of uncertainty on my face. “Sleepy” broke free in front of me, “Luke” had the good sense to give him the ball. With time expiring “Sleepy” put up a 15 foot jumper that hit “nothing but net” to win the game. For that moment we forgot the tragedy of the day that we could still not comprehend.
After the post-game showers, I found myself primping in the long horizontal mirror in the boys basement locker room next to “Sleepy” Faulkner who was setting his long brush cut on end with some goop that looked like a stick of deodorant. Naturally everyone was congratulating him on his game winning shot. His response to no one in particular was to the effect that maybe the win would help ease the pain of that day’s tragedy. At the time I kept to myself the thought his comment was ridiculous; now I think he was right.
Ron Fox
ron@ronfoxlawyer.com
Thank you for taking the time to write and for sharing that great story! Ron would have enjoyed hearing your last sentence. My best to you, Ron.
I met Ron in 1984 in Mesquite TX while delivering phone books to him. Thru the years we would visit on the phone occasionally. After my husband passed away in 2010, the Lord allowed le to reconnect with Ron and this older widow started driving to Hornell to visit and be his driver. He was impressed that God gave him someone 1400 miles away to be his helper. Our last trip was April this year when he had ‘cabin fever’ and decided to ride back to Texas with me which included a trip to west Texas.
I will be forever grateful to be Ron’s friend and traveling companion. He had several close friends, so I recognize the privilege I enjoyed with Ron.
There is no doubt Ron is enjoying seeing with his eyes the beauty of his Lord and of heaven.
I met Ron in 1984 in Mesquite TX while delivering phone books to him. Thru the years we would visit on the phone occasionally. After my husband passed away in 2010, the Lord allowed me to reconnect with Ron and this older widow started driving to Hornell to visit and be his driver. He was impressed that God gave him someone 1400 miles away to be his helper. Our last trip was April this year when he had ‘cabin fever’ and decided to ride back to Texas with me which included a trip to west Texas.
I will be forever grateful to be Ron’s friend and traveling companion. He had several close friends, so I recognize the privilege I enjoyed with Ron.
There is no doubt Ron is enjoying seeing with his eyes the beauty of his Lord and of heaven.
Ron,
A great friend, mentor, and co-worker. Ron and I worked at Alaska Central Air in the mid 70s. A lot of the flying was to support the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline project. I frequently flew as Ron’s co-pilot. I learned a lot from Ron. We had our share of memorable flights (learning experiences) during that youthful exciting time. I became great friend with his parents during the motorcycle accident time of his life. After the accident Ron and I still maintained a close friendship that has carried us to this point in our lives. I will miss our phone calls, and visits. We’d share faith, memories, family time, (him playing tag with my young grandson!) and yes still talk of possible future adventures. Thanks Ron for all you’ve given. It was an honor and adventure to have you has a fiend these last 48 years.
Rex, What an amazing friend you were to Ron and to our mom and dad. You knew Ron better than anyone. Sometime maybe you will share some of your “learning experiences “ that you had with Ron? I’m certain there were some unforgettable flights that are just begging to be shared! How fortunate Ron was to have had your friendship during all of those 48 years…years of joy, years of despair, years of living life in the best way possible. You were a true friend, a dear friend, a solid friend to Ron. You, of course, knew that “Ron was not blind.”