Pittstown- John H. Pritchard, 80, a resident of Pittstown for more than 30 years, died peacefully Thursday, December 1, 2022, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany with his loving family by his side following a short illness.
Born in Malone, NY, April 1, 1942, John is the son of the late Hiram J. and Clara (Campbell) Pritchard and, for 27 years, the devoted husband of Elsie N. (Groves) Pritchard of Pittstown, who survives. John and Elsie were married May 20, 1995.
After his family relocated to Mechanicville when he was a boy, John attended and graduated from Mechanicville High School, Class of 1960.
Within just a few days of graduation, John was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on June 30, 1960. After basic training he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base in Key West, FL, where he earned awards for marksmanship and sharpshooting with a rifle and elevated from the rank of Private to Lance Corporal. John was released from active duty and received an honorable discharge on May 29, 1964.
Following his service to the country, John accepted a position at the Norton Company in Watervliet as a machine operator in the production shop. Throughout the next 31 years he worked his way up the ladder learning to run other equipment and perform additional duties. He earned the respect of his coworkers and supervisors and was elevated to the position of production foreman. He retired in 1995.
John loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, but his most favorite pastime was spending time with Elsie, his children, grandchildren, and friends.
John was a member of the Pittstown United Methodist Church, the Lansingburgh Veterans Club, and a social member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps.
In addition to his beloved wife, Elsie, John is survived by his children, Randy Pritchard of Saratoga, John and Kathleen Prock of Waterford, Janice Hilton of Waterford, Sue Danskin of Averill Park, and Patrick and Lisa Monahan of Pittstown, two sisters, Shirley Patenaude and Patti Slutti, both of Mechanicville, ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, with one more on the way, several nieces and nephews, and his four legged, special buddy and friend, “Miss Daisy.”
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by two sons, John Pritchard and Scott Pritchard, a son-in-law, David Hilton, and a brother and sister, Donald Pritchard and Penny Pritchard.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown, and process at 10:45 a.m. to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery, or meet outside the cemetery entry gates at 11:45 a.m. and join us for a 12:00 p.m. (noon) graveside ceremony with U.S. Marine Corps honors for John. All are invited to attend a reception to celebrate John’s life that will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Pittstown United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall adjacent to the church in Pittstown.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of John H. Pritchard.
Born in Malone, NY, April 1, 1942, John is the son of the late Hiram J. and Clara (Campbell) Pritchard and, for 27 years, the devoted husband of Elsie N. (Groves) Pritchard of Pittstown, who survives. John and Elsie were married May 20, 1995.
After his family relocated to Mechanicville when he was a boy, John attended and graduated from Mechanicville High School, Class of 1960.
Within just a few days of graduation, John was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on June 30, 1960. After basic training he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base in Key West, FL, where he earned awards for marksmanship and sharpshooting with a rifle and elevated from the rank of Private to Lance Corporal. John was released from active duty and received an honorable discharge on May 29, 1964.
Following his service to the country, John accepted a position at the Norton Company in Watervliet as a machine operator in the production shop. Throughout the next 31 years he worked his way up the ladder learning to run other equipment and perform additional duties. He earned the respect of his coworkers and supervisors and was elevated to the position of production foreman. He retired in 1995.
John loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, but his most favorite pastime was spending time with Elsie, his children, grandchildren, and friends.
John was a member of the Pittstown United Methodist Church, the Lansingburgh Veterans Club, and a social member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps.
In addition to his beloved wife, Elsie, John is survived by his children, Randy Pritchard of Saratoga, John and Kathleen Prock of Waterford, Janice Hilton of Waterford, Sue Danskin of Averill Park, and Patrick and Lisa Monahan of Pittstown, two sisters, Shirley Patenaude and Patti Slutti, both of Mechanicville, ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, with one more on the way, several nieces and nephews, and his four legged, special buddy and friend, “Miss Daisy.”
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by two sons, John Pritchard and Scott Pritchard, a son-in-law, David Hilton, and a brother and sister, Donald Pritchard and Penny Pritchard.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown, and process at 10:45 a.m. to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery, or meet outside the cemetery entry gates at 11:45 a.m. and join us for a 12:00 p.m. (noon) graveside ceremony with U.S. Marine Corps honors for John. All are invited to attend a reception to celebrate John’s life that will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Pittstown United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall adjacent to the church in Pittstown.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of John H. Pritchard.
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