Ronald C. Gravelin Sr., 71, Norwood passed away Nov. 1 at the Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vt.

Funeral Services for Gravelin will be held Monday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Garner Funeral Service in Potsdam.

Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Online condolences can be sent to www.garnerfh.com. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Potsdam Humane Society.

Ron is survived by his wife Diane Gravelin of Norwood; a son Ronald C. (Melissa) Gravelin Jr. of Franklin, IN; daughters Andrea (Lee) Clark and Julie (Eleck) Gravelin-Vari of Norfolk; sisters Patricia (Spike) Morgan of Parishville and Christine (Gary) LaPoint of Waddington; grandchildren Jordan Gravelin, Grace Vari, Carter Vari, Sydney Gravelin, Lyndsey Gravelin and Christopher Gravelin; step grandchildren Hannah and Maegan Clark and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by a brother Ernest “Joe” Gravelin Jr. and an infant sister Nancy Gravelin.

Ronald Gravelin Sr. was born May 9, 1941 in Norwood to the late Ernest Gravelin Sr. and Leona Dunn. He was a 1959 graduate of Norwood-Norfolk Central School. He then served in the United States Air Force. On Oct. 24, 1964 he was married to Diane LaFay.

Ron first worked as a dish washer at a local coffee shop in Potsdam. He then worked at the Unionville Paper Mill for a few years until going to Massena to work for General Motors in 1969. He remained in Massena until 1989 when he was transferred to Bedford, IN. He remained there until his retirement in 2000. Ron was a member of the Potsdam and Norwood Volunteer Fire Departments for many years. He was also the Vice President of the United Automobile Workers Local 465.

Ron was an avid reader and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was very proud to have helped found the Potsdam CORC Store in 1973. He also ran for the Norwood Village Board.