Donald S. Ritchie, 83, passed away Monday, June 18, 2012 at Potsdam-Canton Hospital.

Mr. Ritchie was born December 21, 1928 in Gouverneur to Steward and Hilda Lucas Ritchie and resided in Gouverneur and Cranberry Lake his entire life.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Blair Ritchie in a marriage of 45 years; their daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Rick Strate of Gouverneur; grandchildren Jennifer Campbell Fishel, Marion and Austin Strate; and great-grandchild Graham Fishel; two children from a previous marriage to the late Franchieu Tessmer Ritchie, Thomas C. Ritchie and his companion Melinda Virnig of Harrisville and Trudy L. Ritchie of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; grandchildren Jesse and Rebecca Ritchie, Nicole Ritchie Bartoszewski and Trevor Compton; and great-grandchild Andrew Bartoszewski.

Donald worked as a superintendent for Rouse Construction until he and his brother Clark E. Ritchie, also of Gouverneur, established Ritchie Brothers Inc. in 1954, which continues as a successful construction firm in the north country, owned by his son Thomas Ritchie. Donald and Clark jointly received the Good Citizens Award in 1979 from the Gouverneur VFW for their community engagement.

Donald enjoyed hunting deer and was a great shot with a rifle or pistol. He was a charter member and previous officer of the Cranberry Lake Fish and Game Club. He and Sandra have a camp at Cranberry where they have spent many happy days. Donald was also a member of the Gouverneur Elks Lodge #2035. Donald was a certified Field Trial judge for beagles and judged in several states and Canada. After his retirement in 1990, Don and Sandy spent their winters traveling throughout the United States.

Calling hours will be Thursday, June 21st from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 33 Park Street, Gouverneur. A memorial celebration of life will be held later in July in Gouverneur.

Memorial donations can be made to the Cranberry Lake Fish and Game Club, P.O. Box 502, Cranberry Lake, N.Y. 12927.