Ralph J. Maier, 92, Korean War veteran, mechanic, auto repair instructor

Aug. 24, 1930 – Jan. 6, 2023

Ralph J. Maier, a Korean War veteran and mechanic who taught auto repair for Erie 1 BOCES, died Jan. 6 in Wellsville Manor Treatment Center, Wellsville, after a lengthy disease. He was 92.

Born in Lansing, Mich., the third of 6 youngsters and the 2nd-oldest boy, his father was a Russian immigrant. He attended a specialized significant faculty in Michigan and arrived to Williamsville with his relatives in 1947 when his father approved a business supply from his uncle, Freddie Maier, who operated Freddie’s Donuts.

Soon after his father died two several years afterwards, Mr. Maier labored to guidance his mother and siblings. He begun his individual vehicle maintenance company, Maier’s Garage, in the two-bay garage upcoming to their property at Principal and Reinwalt streets in Williamsville.

He also fixed delivery trucks and machinery at Freddie’s Donuts, where by he satisfied his wife, Jane Marie Rentschler. They ended up married in 1952, shortly ahead of he was owing to be despatched by the Military to struggle in the Korean War.

Having said that, his son William claimed, a excellent officer made a decision that his capabilities would be superior applied in Japan. He was sent to Tokyo to commence and regulate a motor pool and discovered Japanese during his keep. He at times also was deployed to the entrance lines in Korea to repair service motor vehicles in the discipline.  

Returning from provider, he expanded his garage, then determined to turn out to be a trainer. He acquired a master’s diploma from what was then Buffalo State School, offered his enterprise and joined the faculty at the Erie 1 BOCES Vocation and Technical Heart on Potters Highway in West Seneca, teaching auto restore for about 20 many years. Groups of his students normally competed in vehicle restore contests. He retired in 1985.

A Williamsville resident right until 2019, he did house fix and reworking and appreciated collecting antiques. He enhanced his summer cabin in Allegany County to make it livable year-round.

He was an avid bird and deer hunter and experienced a lifelong really like of canines that incorporated beagles, a number of breeds of shepherds and Siberian huskies.

In addition to his spouse, a retired librarian at Medaille College or university, now Medaille University, survivors consist of two sons, Thomas, an Amherst Police captain, and William, an engineer for Siemens Power 6 grandchildren and six good-grandchildren. A different son, Gary, died in 2012.

There will be no expert services.