John C. Ptachick, 91, of Perth, New York, passed away after a short illness on February 22, 2024, at Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville. John was born on August 27,1932 in Strelna, Czechoslovakia, to Jan and Frantiska Ptacek. In 1936, with his parents and siblings, John immigrated to the United States, entering through Ellis Island, where the family name was changed to Ptachick. The Ptachicks settled in Schaghticoke, New York, where John recalled with great sentiment his days working on the family farm, which led to a lifelong passion for gardening and many fond family memories. John was a proud American, father, friend, grandfather, great-grandfather, award-winning gardener, and life-long photographer.

John was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. As part of Third Platoon, Company H, 304th Regiment, Ninth Infantry Division, he boarded the U.S.S. Taylor and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. There, John and 20 other infantry men with backgrounds in farming, construction, and heavy equipment operation were assigned to a new tank division. John, at 6 feet 4 inches tall, was assigned as the driver of an M-47 Patton tank patrolling the inner German Border. John wrote, “I had to grow up fast when I was drafted. But I knew that it was an honor to serve my country and I am proud that I served to protect it.” Private First Class John C. Ptachick was honorably discharged in 1955 and, from then on, proudly wore a Korean War Veterans cap. In 2015, he traveled to Washington, DC and was honored as part of the Leatherstocking Honor Flight.

John graduated from Manhattan Technical Institute, where he excelled in draftsmanship. He worked as an electrical draftsman with the Empire Device Company in Amsterdam and then American Locomotive Company, ALCO, in Schenectady. He received a Value Analysis Certificate in June of 1965. John moved on to the position of floor supervisor at Ward Products in Amsterdam. It was here that he established life-long friendships with his coworkers. In all the years since, he was fondly remembered as a fun and fair supervisor. He often said he hired many young people with no experience because they needed to start somewhere. John retired from the company in June of 2004 and excitedly prepared for his time with his family and gardens.

John was married to Judi Morck Ramírez, with whom he had four children and remained friends long after their divorce. He shared nearly 50 years with his “Sweetheart" Mary Jane Ostrowski, with whom he enjoyed going to county fairs and his children’s and grandchildren’s concerts, dance recitals, sporting events, science fairs, and scouting ceremonies—always armed with a camera, a wise crack, and lots of love and applause. He was passionate about chronicling all events and continued to learn and make use of new technologies, from 35mm film, VHS tapes, burned photos to CD’s, digital retouching, social media posting, and beloved video chats with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John maintained his farming roots, becoming a master gardener and floral exhibitor. He and Mary Jane grew amazing vegetables and flowers, often leaving bags of tomatoes, cucumbers, and bouquets of his famous zinnias and dinner plate-sized dahlias on the porches of family and friends. For more than 50 years, he exhibited at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. He amassed hundreds of prize ribbons and helped prepare new generations of green thumbs and blue-ribbon winners.

John is predeceased by his parents; his sister Albina Sila; his three brothers, Edward, Robert and Frank Ptachick; his former wife, Judi Morck Ramirez; and his grandson Samuel Monge. He is survived by his love, Mary Jane Ostrowski and his children, Kelli P. McCoski (Chip Roots) Johnstown; Colleen (Francisco) Monge, Amsterdam; Kevin (Kelly) Ptachick, Williamsburg, VA and Erin (Todd) Compani, Perth, NY; his 11 grandchildren, Zachary Monge (Samantha), Sarah McCoski (Will Stetson), TJ Ptachick (Brittany), Noah Monge (Ashley), Ethan McCoski (Maggie Seiple), Alex Ptachick, Molly Monge, Miles Compani, Owen Compani, Trent Ptachick and Reese Ptachick; and 6 adored great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Antonia Monge, Maeve and Millie Ptachick, Canaan and Maddox Monge, along with three additional great- grandchildren expected this spring and summer.

He is also survived by his sister Lillian Anatriello, along with nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by Courtney Ramírez, Heidi Ramírez, Deborah Mannino and Jorgette Mariñez and their families; he thought of these girls as his own.

The Ptachick family would like to thank St. Mary’s Healthcare, Palatine Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center and Mountain Valley Hospice for their compassionate care.

There will be no calling hours.

Celebration and Interment with military honors will be held at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on June 7th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts in John's name may be made to: Leatherstocking Honor Flight, Inc., PO Box 621, Cobleskill, New York 12043.

Funeral arrangements are by the Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division St, Amsterdam, NY 12010. To send online condolences to the family, go to www.rileymortuaryinc.com