Daniel Edward Ralston, 59, of 154 Bonair Ave. died Friday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He was a longtime businessman and a former school counselor in North Adams. Born in North Adams on Dec. 2, 1943, son of Mary June Blanquart Ralston and the late Ralph N. Ralston, he graduated in 1962 from Drury High School and in 1966 from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, with a degree in psychology. He received his master of education degree from Springfield College.A decorated Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he held the rank of first lieutenant.

Mr. Ralston and his wife, the former Elizabeh M. Gorczakoski, had owned and operated Ralston's Auto Parts since 1979. Prior to that, he was employed as a school adjustment counselor at the former Mark Hopkins School and the South Forty Alternatives program, of which he also was director, and later at Williamstown Elementary School. He also was a guidance counselor at the former St. Joseph's High School for several years and taught pyschology courses at the former North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Church. He was an organizer and coach for local youth soccer leagues and a coach for minor league baseball, and was a founder of the Berkshire Soccer Association. He also coached the Drury girls' varsity soccer team from 1983 to 1987. He was a former president of Trout Unlimited, a member of Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown, and an avid fisherman, camper, golfer and woodworker.

He and his wife were married Aug. 21, 1965, in St. Francis' Church.Besides his mother, of Williamstown, and his wife, he leaves a daughter, Jennifer King of North Adams; two sons, Steven Ralston of New Fairfield, Conn., and Shaun Ralston of Houston; a sister, Frances Jette of Sunrise, Fla., and his three grandchildren Zoe Elizabeth Ralston, Andrew Shaun Ralston and Nathan Steven Ralston.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Daniel Edward Ralston will be Tuesday at 10:15 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at Our Lady of Mercy Church on State Road. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be tomorrow, Dec. 16, from 5 to 8.

Memorial donations are suggested for the oncology unit at North Adams Regional Hospital through the funeral home.