It was with profound sadness that I learned that Ralph Jones had passed away on April 13, 2009 (in Massillon, Ohio). Ralph was one of the best friends an attorney could ever have, and his passing left the world a poorer place.

In March of 1972, I came back to Western New York after four years in the United States Army. Needless to say, I was very skilled at court-martials but did not have the faintest idea what a real estate closing was all about. However, with a wife, a newborn child and an impending house purchase, I knew I had better get up to speed real fast. I had just started work as a trial attorney with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Charles Brown was Liberty's chief attorney at the time, and I went to Charlie and asked him what he thought I should do. He told me, "Go to the Erie County Clerk's Office and ask for a man named Ralph Jones. Then go see him and do whatever he tells you, and you'll never be disappointed." I've received lots of advice over the years, but Charlie Brown's words could have been minted in gold.

It was never hard to find Ralph. All you had to do was go to the Ticor desk and locate Ralph somewhere around a pile of searches. No matter how hectic the day was or how many people were all talking to him at the same time, Ralph always found the time to talk to you. When you had a problem search and Ralph said he would take a look at it and let you know, that's exactly what he did. You never had to give him a follow-up call.

Ralph always believed in leading by example. As a veteran searcher, Mark McGowan, once said to me, "There wasn't a thing that Ralph would ask you to do that he wouldn't do himself." More than once, I remember being in a jam, and Ralph would take the search and do it himself. He would always be very modest about it, saying it was so easy that even an old guy like him couldn't mess it up.

One of the things that I most remember about Ralph is that he was unflappable. Even on the craziest closing days, with piles of searches stacked up, Ralph never lost his patience or his temper. Although I didn't know it at first, I later learned what an outstanding record Ralph had in World War II, and I realized that even a crazy day at (Erie County) Hall was a walk in the park compared to some of his wartime experiences. Ralph never told war stories, and you had to pry information out of him about his wartime service. All I can tell you is that I'm awfully glad he was on our side.

I honestly don't know if they have any title searches in the hereafter. However, if they do, I know who the Lord is going to have as the Number One Searcher.

Goodbye, Ralph. You were a very special person, and I am honored that I was able to call you my friend.

Paul Rudnicki
West Seneca