A much beloved and respected former patrol leader of the Song Mountain Ski Patrol in the Central New York Region passed away at the age of 92. Ron Marks, National #5799, died on August 11, 2024 in an assisted living facility in Napierville, IL, where his son’s family lives.
Ron was a NSP member for about 20 years, serving at two CNY Region patrols — Mystic Mountain and Song Mountain. He was patrol leader at Mystic during 1973 and ‘74. He also joined Song in those years. At Song, Ron served as patrol leader from 1983 to 1988. He was awarded his National Appointment in 1981.
He was a science teacher at Jordan-Elbridge Central Schools near Syracuse for more than 30 years. In fact, Ron convinced one of his former students, Bill Hamilton, who also became a teacher and taught with Ron in the mid-1980s, to join the Song Ski Patrol. Bill noted how much he enjoyed skiing with Ron, how much he enjoyed Ron’s sense of humor, and how often he thinks of his former teacher and fellow patroller.
In 1989, Ron and his wife “Doje” (Dorothy) decided to move south in retirement. They settled in Emerald Isle, NC. They were a team for 65 years until Doje passed away in 2020. Their family noted how the two enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. Over the years, they climbed the highest 46 peaks in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, earning them membership in the unique “Forty-Sixers” club.
As a community-focused volunteer, Ron also served as a tennis coach, Boy Scout leader, paramedic, and firefighter. In North Carolina, he and Doje continued that support, joining the volunteer EMS squad for almost 20 more years.
Ron’s training paid off at Song Mountain in 1983 when he and fellow patroller Kurt Lavin earned Purple Merit Stars for saving the life of a skier whose femoral artery was cut by a ski in a collision with another skier.
Ron is survived by a daughter, son, sister, sister-in-law, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Contributions may be given in Ron’s name to the Alzheimers Association.
