Ralph John “ZONER” Honey

He was born December 15, 1947 in Salamanca, New York, the son of the late John and Mary (Metcalfe) Honey. Zoner was a 1965 graduate of Randolph Central School, received his Mechanical Engineering Degree from Jamestown Community College and was an honorably discharged Veteran of the United States Navy, having served during the Vietnam War Era aboard the USS Forrester 334 from August 20, 1968 to September 30, 1971.

Ralph’s career spanned 40 years, starting in 1966 at Blackstone (1966-1986), Harrison Radiator in Lancaster, NY from 1986-1988 and retiring from Delphi Corporation in Lockport 1988-2006. In 2012, he moved to Gowanda where he made many new friends.

His memberships included; Life member of the Randolph American Legion Post 181- Commander (1986) and was instrumental in planning and placing the current war memorial monument located out front of Post 181. He was also a member of the Randolph Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6533, Gowanda American Legion (Sons), Vietnam Veterans of America- Motorcycle Club (Chapter President for 4 years) and Cardinal Hills Golf Club. Zoners hobbies and interests included; hunting, golfing, fishing, trapping, softball, bowling (300 pin 1981 at the Brickyard) camping and boating at Kinzua and snowmobiling. In 2002, while attending the Randolph American Legion family picnic, he was struck by lightning, that had struck an 80 foot tall tree and traveled to the Legion Pavilion. He was treated for non-life threatening injuries by Randolph’s Legend Dale Senn and released.

He is survived by his brother, James (Brenda Perks) Honey of Falconer, two step-daughters, Lauren (Shaun Fratus) Carnahan of Latham, NY and Hillary Carnahan of Fredonia, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many closefriends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Randolph American Legion Pavilion on Saturday, (July 11, 2026) beginning at 1:00 PM. A full Military Honors service will be held privately at the Randolph Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his late brother Stephen “Stava” Honey, who passed away on November 12, 2002.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church Street, Randolph. Condolences can be left for the family by logging onto; www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials if desired may be left in his memory to the Mike Benca Jr. Golf Program, 14 Church Street.