Peter Ptasnik CHARLESTOWN — Peter Ptasnik, 97, of Scenic Hill Road, Charlestown, died on Thursday, July 11, 2019, surrounded by family. He was born Peter Ptasnikoff, in Claremont, to William Wikenty Ptasnik and Anna (Baleyka) Ptasnik on Sept. 27, 1921. He shortened his name to Ptasnik in 1959. He served in Europe during World War II as a Medic. After discharge from the military, he worked as a machinist and tool operator at Joy Mfg., Sullivan Mfg., Fellows Gear Sharper Co., RL Jacobs Machine Co. and Costa Mfg., retiring at the age of 62. He enjoyed traveling and sitting on the porch watching birds with his wife, Ginny, building stone walls and rock gardens on the land where he and his wife built their home-sweet-home, and loved talking about history and his family’s immigration from Russia. He had no biological children. When he married Virginia in 1962, he inherited a large family who loved him as their own. His surviving family includes stepchildren, David Forsaith and wife Judith of Charlestown, Alma Twombly of Bethel, Vermont, and Milena Mongeon of Goshen; daughters-in-law, Sandra Forsaith Fleury of Largo, Florida, and Martha Forsaith of Barnstead; also, 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren (with more on the way); as well as his dear friends, Paul Petraska and wife Priscilla of Chester, Vermont. He was predeceased by his wife Virginia Wiggin Ptasnik; his parents; his brothers, Alexander Pearson, Paul Ptasnik and wife Mia, Waseil Ptasnik and wife Irene; nieces, Barbara Ptasnik Fersing and Patricia Ptasnik Kneeland; his stepson Edward Forsaith; step-son-in-law Philip Paini; and granddaughter Cammy Forsaith. Special thanks to the VA Home Care Program, Charlestown Police Department, Sullivan County Health Care and his extended family for enabling Peter to stay home later in life. Funeral services will be held at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont on July 27, 2019, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Martha Dyner officiating. Military burial will follow in the Summer Hill Cemetery in Springfield, Vermont. Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad St., Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.
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