Joseph H. Ptaszek

On a sunny Friday morning March 29th, after a long and fulfilling life, Joseph Ptaszek passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family at the wonderful old age of 97. Born in Upper Red Hook, NY on August 11th, 1915, he was the oldest son of four children to Michael and Nellie Ptaszek. In his early years his family moved around before settling on Atlas Lane in Hudson, NY, where his father worked for the Atlas Cement Plant. After completing school he worked in construction as a carpenter and millwright around the east coast, including a number of important projects such as the Tappan Zee Bridge, the barracks at Fort Knox, KY, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, the NYS Taconic Parkway, and the Pentagon. During this time at the age of 19 in 1934, he was enrolled for 10 months in the CCC at Camp 52 out of Boston Corners, NY, tasked with the eradication of gypsy moths. In 1943 upon volunteering for the Army, he was deployed at Fort Banks in Boston Harbor, MA, where he served as a MP and later a Gunnery Technician Fourth Grade (rank of sergeant) at the Headquarters Battery for the Harbor Defense of Boston. During his tenure with the Army, in collaboration with scientists from MIT, he trained the first gunnery crew to use radar-assisted artillery for the United States. After receiving an Honorable Discharge 1946, he remained in the Navy Reserves for 10 years, first as an active duty reservist for 2 years then in inactive duty for the following 8. Following his service in Boston, he moved back home to Hudson, NY, continuing his work in construction when he was married on June 1st, 1952 to Nellie Jenowich of Taghkanic, NY. The two of them remained happily married for 54 years until her death in 2007. Joseph was a force in the local community. In his early years he was a baseball player for the local Columbia Country Ukrainian team, enjoying the game for his entire life. He was a life member of the Greenport Fire Company Number #1, having joined in 1954. He belonged to the Hudson Carpenters Local for 40 years, including a time of service as President. A life member of 67 years in the Polish Sportsman’s Club since 1946, Joseph also was one of the earliest members of the Old Time Power Association Engine Club, having belonged for over 36 years. Joseph was an avid hunter and fisherman with a great love for the outdoors. He especially enjoyed trout fishing and duck and pheasant hunting in NY and MA with his trusty German Shorthair Pointer, and taking family members on long hikes through the countryside. Shortly after marriage, Joseph with his wife built and opened the Joe- Nel Trailer Park on Joslen Boulevard in Greenport, NY. Their only child and daughter Paula was born on December 4th, 1953 while operating the Trailer Park. During this time Nellie, with Joseph’s help, began a small antique business, which quickly grew beyond its humble beginnings and subsequently outgrew the modest space available at the Trailer Park. Realizing a dilemma, Joseph and Nellie together began the second phase of both of their professional careers by moving to Claverack and purchasing the Red Mill to be opened as their own antique shop. As antique dealers Joseph and Nellie worked tirelessly across the Northeast and Canada, and transformed their small shop into a thriving business that spanned decades, only stopping to retire when Nellie became unable to continue a year before she passed in 2006. He continued to enjoy life to the fullest at his residence in Claverack with his daughter, grandson, and granddaughter until the day of his passing. Joseph is survived by his daughter Paula Ptaszek of Claverack, NY, his two loving grandchildren, Joseph and Nellie, nephews John Ptaszek and Edward Ptaszek and a niece Mary Ann Nowak. He is predeceased by his wife Nellie Ptaszek who passed away in 2007, two brothers John and Walt Ptaszek, and his sister Helen Dragon. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM on Friday at St. James Parish in Chatham, NY, with Father Gary Galfenbien officiating. Burial will follow at the Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson, NY. Calling hours will be Thursday from 6:00-8:00PM at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.

Joseph H. Ptaszek

August 11, 1915 - March 29, 2013

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Joseph H. Ptaszek

August 11, 1915 - March 29, 2013

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