It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Judson LeRoy Ingraham, age 92, who peacefully left us on January 10, 2026.

Judson, known affectionately as Jud, was born on January 24, 1933, in Canandaigua, New York, to Judson Lucius Ingraham and Florence Ida Yerkes Ingraham. After the passing of his father, Jud was also raised by his stepfather, Frederick Ingraham. The only boy, Jud shared his childhood with his sisters Shirley, Beverley, Martha, Florence, and Linda, as well as his beloved childhood cat, Nugget.

Growing up, Jud cherished swimming in Canandaigua Lake and was active in The Swimming School. After earning his GED, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952 and served his country honorably during the Korean War until his discharge in 1956. His service took him aboard the USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin. Among his many responsibilities was polishing the plaque on the USS Missouri that marks the spot where Japan formally surrendered, bringing an end to World War II. To recognize Jud’s wartime service, the United States Navy awarded him the National Defense Service Medal.

Upon returning to Rochester, Jud first embarked on a career as a machine tool assembler with the Farrell Corporation. Through Farrell, he had the opportunity to travel to Venezuela to help set up a sugar cane mill. This trip, along with his earlier travel in the Navy, nurtured Jud’s love of learning about other cultures and meeting new people. He would later continue his professional journey with Machine Tool Research until his retirement in 1998.

While he was still at Farrell, his sister introduced him to a young lady she knew from work—their first date to an Amerks hockey game began his lifelong partnership with Nina Frederick. Jud and Nina were married on September 21, 1968, and were blessed to share 57 years together living in Victor, New York. Together they raised three wonderful children—Ken, Lisa, and Julie—and cared for a menagerie of pets, including Sparky the cat, Jud’s loyal companion for many years, and beloved Oliver and Mollie.

Jud's hobbies were as diverse as they were heartfelt. He found joy in many thoughtful and reflective activities--playing chess, fly fishing along the Canandaigua Outlet, lake fishing, and exploring nature through long hikes while hunting for fossils and arrowheads. He loved music, especially country and western, bluegrass, and classical guitar and was known to grace the dance floor on special occasions. Later in life, when he was no longer able to take extended walks, he continued to nurture his curious mind by reading about history, doing word puzzles; watching mysteries, westerns, and documentaries; and enjoying the birds and squirrels that visited the backyard feeders he faithfully kept full. His relationship to the local deer was a bit more nuanced. One of his greatest passions was photography, and his talent was evident in the beautiful images he captured of flowers and animals, including several photographs featured in local newspapers—a blue heron on the breakwater in Canandaigua or a mischievous squirrel sitting inside a bird feeder.

We would like to thank the staff at Heathwood Assisted Living and Strong Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care in the final months and days, respectively, of Jud’s life. The work of caring for others is often difficult and we offer you our heartfelt appreciation for all you did to make Jud comfortable.

Jud was predeceased by his father Judson, mother Florence, stepfather Frederick, and cherished sisters Shirley and Beverley.

Jud is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Nina F. Ingraham; his son Ken and his wife Premi; his daughter Lisa; his daughter Julie and her partner Jon; and his sisters Martha Emerson, Florence Witte, and Linda Ingraham and her husband Herb.

Family and friends are invited to honor Jud's life during calling Hours on January 31 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. 190 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua, New York. A 3 pm memorial service will follow at the funeral home.

The family will hold a private interment at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Finger Lakes Land Trust at https://www.fllt.org/give or PO Box 442, Ithaca, NY 14851; or Friends of Ganondagan at https://www.ganondagan.org/donate or P.O. Box 113, Victor, NY 14564.

Jud will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his warm smile, his love of family and nature, and his appreciation for the simple joys of life.

To share a memory or express condolenes online, please visit www.fullerfh.com