Joseph H. Pratten

Obituary for Joseph H. Pratten. On early Saturday morning, July 13, 2024, Joe Pratten, loving husband and father of four children passed away at the age of 91, just missing his 92nd birthday. Joe was born on July 14, 1932, at home in Cannonsburg, PA to Joe and Irene Pratten. He married Janet Pacejka in 1960. They had two children, Nancy and Joe, before she passed away in 1963. Joe married Francesca Garcia in 1963 and raised Rafaella and their child Gabriella. The family now consisted of four children, raised on a small farm in Catskill, NY. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Francesca, his three children Rafaella Diershaw (Kris), Joseph Pratten (Sonja), and Gabriella Flach (Mark), six grandchildren, three great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Carolyn Spinney of Coventry, RI. Joe was predeceased by two sisters, his first wife Janet (nee Pacejka) and his daughter Nancy Young. Joe graduated from Wappingers Falls Central School and immediately joined the Navy enlisting in 1950, where he was trained to be an interior communications electrician, and ICE man aboard the DE Daniel A. Joy, deployed to the Great Lakes. After four years in the Navy, Joe worked for New York Telephone as a telephone repairman, retiring in 1985. He then became a master confectioner, selling his fine chocolates and ice cream cakes in his store, The Candyman of Catskill. He had a passion for flying and earned his pilot’s license in 1972. An active community member, he led the Catskill Rotary Club as president and when he retired to Port St. Lucie, FL, led the Port St. Lucie Breakfast Club as president for two terms. Joe had a winning personality, charming to all who know him. He will be greatly missed by friends and family alike. We would like to give special thanks to the staff at Community Hospice who provided excellent care and support to Joe in his final days. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Community Hospice, Catskill, NY. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at The W.C. Brady’s Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, N.Y., 12051, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., with services the same day at the funeral home at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Rick Snowden of The Community Life Church, Catskill, N.Y. officiating. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wcbradyssonsinc.net.

Joseph H. Pratten

July 14, 1932 - July 13, 2024