Ralph F. Sykes of North Branch, NY, a dairy farmer and lifetime area resident, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in North Branch, in the family home in which he was born. He was 84.

The son of the late John and Mildred Hust Sykes, he was born August 8, 1926 in North Branch.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch, the North Branch Fire Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Farm Bureau.

Ralph met his wife, Antoinette Le Clere Sykes, in France during World War II. They were married for 64 years. Dairy farming was his life. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, and had a lifelong love of horses.

He is survived by his wife; daughter Janine Coppola and husband Carmen of Cedar Grove, NJ; two sons Robert Sykes and wife Bonnie of North Branch and Timothy Sykes of Hortonville, NY; grandchildren Rebecca, James, Jason, Silvana and TJ Sykes; step-granddaughter Megan Meyer; two great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Rene LeClere and wife Ethel; and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by two grandsons, Ryan Coppola and Chad Sykes; brothers James and Fred Sykes; and sisters Ethel Ingerto and Blanche Fazio.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 2 at Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch. Burial was in Heavenly Rest Cemetery in North Branch.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.