Born: October 12, 1921, in Tupper Lake
Died: December 1, 1998
Married: Janet Butler, in 1943; she died July 17, 2013. After her husband's death, she continued operation of the Rock Shop until 2009. Her obituary was published in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise on July 19, 2013.
Children: Nancy J. Bristol, Kathleen E. Bristol and Laurie L. Harper
Ralph E. Bristol started the Adirondack Gem & Rock Shop in 1963 at 64 Petrova Avenue and was the president of Northland Rock and Mineral Club and chairman of dealers for two eastern federation conventions of lapidaries in the Lake Placid Arena.
There are gems cut by Mr. Bristol on display at both the New York State Museum in Albany and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. He spent many years teaching the fine art, appreciation for and actual mastering the cutting of gems.
See also: Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 26, 2011, Kean and Kasey Riley
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, December 3, 1998.
Ralph E. Bristol
SARANAC LAKE - Ralph E. Bristol, 77, of Saranac Lake, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998 at Uihlein Mercy Center.
Born Oct. 12, 1921 in Tupper Lake, he was the son of Perry V. and Lola (Roys) Bristol.
The family moved to Syracuse in 1922, where Mr. Bristol graduated from Solvay High School. He then attended Central City Business School and Syracuse University. He later enlisted in the Army Air Force where he became a meteorologist.
In 1943, toward the end of the war, and while stationed at Pine Camp in Watertown, Bristol married Janet Butler, and they moved to Saranac Lake in 1946. He worked for Witherbee and Whalen insurance Company for 35 years and then spent 50 years at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
He was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake, serving as Clerk of Session and Superintendent of the Sunday school. He was also a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Bristol started the Adirondack Gem & Rock Shop in 1963 and was the president of Northland Rock and Mineral Club and chairman of dealers for two eastern federation conventions of lapidaries in the Lake Placid Arena.
There are gems cut by Mr. Bristol on display at both the New York State Museum in Albany and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he spent many years teaching the fine art, appreciation for and actual mastering [of] the cutting of gems.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Nancy J. Bristol of Albany, Kathleen E. Bristol of Saranac Lake and Laurie L. Harper of Troy; five grandchildren, Jason Dannielle, Stephen, Derrick and Diahann; two great-grandchildren, Cheyne and Devon; and lapidary students Paul, Don, Rick, Kean, Kasey and Tim.
Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Charles Monts officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, or Uihlein Mercy Center in care of Fortune/Keough Funeral Home.
