Alfred C. Ketchum passed away peacefully on October 13, 2021. He was born on August 27, 1936, in Johnson City, NY. He was predeceased by his parents Vernon and Elleen (Smith) Ketchum, sisters Elleen Russell and Joan Rowlands, and brother Gene Ketchum. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and was a computer programmer with IBM. Al is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Dora Mae (Swartwood) Ketchum, daughters Michele (Joseph) Lennon, Kelly (Michael) Bates, Jennifer (Kevin) Melocco, son Christopher Ketchum Sr., daughter Elizabeth Kuhns (Michael Miller) brother Berton (Patricia) Ketchum, sister Sharon Ketchum. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed golf, long-distance cycling, woodworking, hunting, fly fishing, watching the NY Yankees and Syracuse athletics. He had a knack for creating fun lifelong memories for his family, especially all the kids. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the West Corners Lions Club 604 Lakeview Drive, Endicott, NY 13760. A celebration of life will be held at New Life Church in Endicott on October 30th with calling hours beginning at 9:30 a.m. and service immediately following at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endwell.
Andy Tewksbury
October 24, 2021, 5:54 pm
Dora Mae, my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family at this difficult loss. I have so many good and happy memories and you and Al at Central. God Bless you!
Butch Taladay
October 26, 2021, 9:20 pm
Dora Mae and all extended Ketchum family members on the passing of “team leader” Al. God is gaining a cycling angel while we here on planet Earth lose an All-American and trustworthy friend.
I could write a book about the times that Al and I had; from our one day bike trip of 90 miles to Elmira and back to our infamous 290 mile three day bike ride from Batavia race
track back to Endicott to me trying teach Al golf while he tried to teach me Bocci-ball in your back and side yards.
I probably learned more over coffee, tea and lager at your kitchen table with myself, Al,
Dora Mae and CarolE, about the soft ware program that Al taught than the many hours IBM paid to have Al try to teach it to me during working and O/T hours.
Everytime I see the “Mary Poppins” commercial and her silhouette flying across the sky on her bike, I can easily see Al on his 12 gear apparatus and a jet trail behind him.