Ross Peters

Mr. Ross Peters, age 61, of Dublin Road, Salamanca, New York died Saturday morning, May 21, 2011 shortly after being admitted to Olean General Hospital, Olean, New York.

Born on January 11, 1950 in Salamanca, New York he was the son of the late Wayne and Kathryn Iman Peters. He was married IN 1977 to the former Judith Smith who survives

A lifelong resident of Salamanca Mr. Peters was a graduate of Salamanca High School Class of 1968, Hamilton College Class of 1972, and Albany Law School Class of 1975 where he was a member of the Albany Law School Rugby Team.

After passing his New York State Bar Exam he moved to Ogdensburg, New York where he clerked for the Honorable Edmund Shea, New York State Supreme Court Judge. After returning to Western New York he joined the office of Loren Bly and associates until he became an associate partner with the Eldridge, & Brady Law Firm. Later and until his death he was a partner with Ronald Ploetz, with offices in Salamanca and Ellicottville. He also held the position of Salamanca City Attorney, a position he held on and off for the last twenty years.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace, an avid golfer and forty-five year member of Elkdale County Club where he served as past president and served on the board of directors, the Cattaraugus County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, an active supporter of Ellicottville and the surrounding area, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, and a past member of the Ellicottville Rotary Club,

Mr. Peters enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, especially trips to Boston to visit his son Ryan and Colorado to visit his daughter Jessica and many vacations to Florida. He loved all sports especially the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabers and the Boston Red Sox. He was instrumental in helping establish the first ever Booster Club drawings at Salamanca which was in memory of Louis Foy.

Surviving besides his wife are: a son, Ryan Peters, Boston MA, a daughter, Jessica Peters, Buffalo New York, a sister, Wendy (Peter) Smith , Olean, New York;, father –in-law Kenneth F. Smith Canton, New York, sisters-in-law Barbara (Andy) Hochberg, Pittsford MA, Teresa (Domenic) Candido of Hanover, NH several nieces and nephews

He was predeceased by a brother, Jack Marriner and a sister, Judith Krantz.

Friends may call at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00.

A concelbrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday (May 25, 2011) at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Peace Parish with Rev. Patrick Melfi and Rev. Joseph Porpiglia officiating.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Ellicottville, New York

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to the Ellicottville Public Library or Relay for life, American Cancer Society, PO Box 900, C/O Cattaraugus County Salamanca Souls, Sinclairville, New York 14782

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.