Ridley, Douglas DeVoe
Douglas DeVoe Ridley, age 82, of Rochester NY, passed away on May 30, 2023. Doug was born July 22, 1940, to the late Lester and Jean Ridley.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jan, his sister Ellen Little (Lee), brother Wayne, son Ross Crary (Melinda), Klingenberg stepsons Joe (Beth), Brian, and Gregg (Michelle), grandchildren Emily, Ashley, Jack, Connor, Paige, and Megan, and nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends.
After retiring from St. John Fisher University, Doug pursued full-time his passion for restoring antique toys, trains, and signs, and created Ridley Restoration. He enjoyed attending and presenting his work at train and collectible shows and was a long-time member of the Train Collectors Association. In addition to his restoration work, Doug enjoyed maintaining his cars, listening to jazz, going to flea markets, museums, weekend car trips, and being with family and friends. He will be missed dearly.
A private funeral service is scheduled for the immediate family and a “Celebration of Life” will be announced later this summer.
Comments
2 responses to “Ridley, Douglas DeVoe”
Doug Ridley was the kind of person you always looked forward to seeing again. He had an easy-going calmness and a welcoming demeanor, and seemed to give his full focus to whomever and whatever he was discussing. Although not how the word tends to be used today, Doug exuded inclusiveness.
Of the many people I caught up with at the twice a year at the TCA train meets at the York, PA Fairgrounds, Doug was the one I would most call a friend more than a vendor. It saddens me to realize that I will not be seeing him again at future meets. I do, however, have many constant reminders of Doug. From him I acquired a large number of often off-beat collectibles that are now displayed in my rooms. In fact, I often referred to Doug as I was describing these items to viewers. Now I must add the sad note that he is not longer with us.
The world is a poorer place for his absence. The York train meets will be poorer for his absence, and my circle of friends will be smaller for his absence. I suspect that I speak for more than myself when I say I hope that Jan will be moved to attend the next York meet, in Doug’s honor, so his many friends can offer their condolences to her in person.
Doug and I were very close childhood friends in Greece until his family moved to near Syracuse, I think Dewitt? We had lost contact, but reconnected about 5 or 6 yrs. ago. We had 2 or 3 long conversations since then reminiscing about our childhood and elementary school classmates we remembered. I had hoped to see him when I was last in Rochester for my 60th High School reunion from John Marshall High School (JMHS) in 2018. However, Doug was in the hospital then with I think stomach ulcers. We had a final long conversation at Christmas time in 2022 and he sent me his annual summary of toy restoration projects. He was very talented with this avocation.
I just emailed him hoping to see him in a few weeks when I’m back in Rochester again for our 65th JMHS reunion. Jan answered today with the very sad news that he had died only a few short weeks ago. I am very disappointed and extremely sad. I had so looked forward to getting together in person and sharing memories of our childhood days 70 or more years ago. He was a great friend so many years ago and I’m sure we would have relished connecting in person and sharing tales of our childhood antics!
My sincere condolences to Jan and their extended family members. I’m so pleased to see the very handsome photo with his obituary.
Very sincerely,
Rog Usborne
Bonita (San Diego), CA