Dateline: Ballston Lake, NY
Peter Enn Ratsep, Sr., age 85, passed away at his home on April 13, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Peter was born on November 16, 1935 in Tartu, Estonia to the late Ferdinand and Hilda (Kiipsaar) Ratsep.
Peter spent most of his childhood and teenage years living in Estonia and then Germany before his family immigrated to the United States in 1950. They spent a short time in Schenectady, NY before settling in Wilmington, DE. Here, Peter graduated from P.S. DuPont High School, class of 1956 and then began his college studies at University of Delaware. Peter was drafted to the United States Army, serving honorably until his discharge in 1964. When he returned home, Peter completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.
Peter met and married his wife, Helve in 1957 and together they settled in Queensbury, NY where they raised their family. Peter worked for Ciba-Geigy Corp (Hercules, Inc.) until his retirement in 1998. Peter and Helve relocated to Ballston Lake in 2004 where they settled to enjoy retirement.
Peter was a sports fan and a star athlete in his younger years as a heavyweight wrestler, football player, and discus thrower. He was a member of the Estonian fraternity Rotalia. Peter was an avid reader, always had an appreciation for his work, and most of all, loved spending time with his family. He was a true patriot, and will always be remembered as an honorable, loving person.
Peter is survived by his wife, Helve Helen Ratsep of Ballston Lake, NY; his children, Peter Enn Ratsep, Jr. of Baldwinsville, NY (and partner, Mary Cavanagh) and Thomas Enn Ratsep of Rexford, NY (and wife, Beth Lynne Ratsep); his grandchildren, Lauren Nichole Ratsep of Windsor Locks, CT, Ryan Peter Ratsep of Boston, MA, Taylore Beth Ratsep of Denver, CO and Paige Lynne Ratsep of Boston, MA; brother, Toivo Ratsep of Fort Meyers, FL (and sister-in-law, Joanne Ratsep) and his nieces and nephews, Karin L. Soobert of Chesapeake, VA, Allan M. Soobert of McLean, VA, Collette (Ratsep) Horkey of Wilmington, DE, Suzette (Ratsep) Ruff of Wilmington, DE, Claudine (Ratsep) Wujcik of Newark, DE and Timothy Ratsep of Wilmington, DE.
Along with his parents, Peter is predeceased by his brother, Jaan Ratsep.
A Funeral Service will be held privately for the family.
Interment will be in Greenridge Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, NY.
With confidence, the family has placed their trust in the loving care of the Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, and they encourage you to view and leave messages on Peter’s Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com