Obituary of James F. Pratt

James “Jim” Franklin Pratt of Rensselaer went home to be with the Lord and the love of his life Ann Loretta (Dambrose) on the day of their 56^th wedding anniversary January 19, 2022. Jim was born on July 27, 1945, was the runt of the litter that included 8 beautiful sisters, and 4 hardworking brothers.  Their mother had her favorite and although for years they have tried to figure out who, Dad always thought it was him and would make that known to his sisters.  Jim was a star athlete at Van Rensselaer, earning honors as the Eastern Conference All-Star defensive end, and he ruled the roost with his dear friend Rosie Stark as a member of the Varsity club.  It was in high school that he met the love of his life Ann Loretta. They say that opposites attract, and boy was that correct with Jim and Ann.  Dad was a scrapper and mom was spoiled, but from the age of 16 years old, they were always together.  Out of high school, Dad had received multiple scholarship offers for football but wanted to serve his country. Dad was proud of his service to our Nation and had a deep love and appreciation for the veterans of our country.  Upon discharge from the Army, Dad had worked various jobs, including, construction, cab driver, the bar and restaurant business as well as HG Anderson and UST Solutions with good friend Robbie Noel.  But the job that brought him the most joy these past years, was the work he was doing at Jezreel International and the Veterans Miracle Center with Rabbi Barry and Toni Feinman. Dad was passionate about Veterans and was willing to help all that he could, you would be sure to see him at various events for veterans, giving them information on how and where to get assistance. Dad was a lifelong member of the East Greenbush VFW, the American Legion on Everett Rd, the Vietnam Veterans association, the Tri-County Disabled Veterans and part of the VA Hospital. 

Anyone who knew Dad was sure to hear about his faith.  Dad would tell you that the “best thing he ever did do was to take off the old robe and put on the new.”  When Dad accepted Jesus as his Savior, in his typical outgoing fashion, everyone heard about it.  He wanted everyone to know that God loved them and could change their lives.  As he was in the hospital, he was still preaching to the nurses.  That was dad, passionate about his faith.  Dad served as Pastor, elder and board member for various churches in the Capital District, Reigning life with Pastor Fred and Evelyn Sanles, House of Praise with Pastor Bob and Barbara Hulett and his home church, City Harvest with Pastor Ernie and Nancy Fink.  Dad loved his church family and was proud of the work he was doing to help those in their Christian faith.

Dad loved his family, he loved having everyone together even if you weren’t family, the doors were always open. Dad loved his brothers and sisters, he is pre-deceased by his parents Norman H. and Elsie Ardnt Pratt, five sisters and four brothers, Elsie/Marie (Roy) Griffin, Helen E. Pratt, Margaret (Edwin) Shook, Patricia (James) Bourdeau and Nancy (Robert) VanDetta.  Thomas H. (Josephine) Pratt, Walter S. (Delores) Pratt, Edward J. Pratt, Norman H. (Eileen) Pratt. He is survived by sisters, Mary T. (Albert) Holmquist, Beverly A. (John) Ryan and Rita M Burns.  Jim is also survived by 199 nieces, nephews and cousins, and his beloved friends, Uncle John and Joan Campetelle and Joan and Charlie Twiss. 

In his last moments, Jim expressed that he was leaving behind his most precious possessions on this earth, Mark Pratt (Tanya), Christopher Pratt (Katie), Tamera Muller (Charlie), and Benjamin Pratt along with his four granddaughters Charissa Tonkin (Matthew), Cayla Pratt, Cassie Muller (Mark) and Chelsie Muller and his two grandsons Jordan Pratt and Jared Pratt.  He also leaves behind 2 great grandchildren, Noah and Violet Tonkin.  He wanted them all to know how much he and their mother/grandmother desperately loved them.

Services will be at Grace Fellowship 20 Delatour Rd, Watervliet, NY 12189 on Sunday from 3:30-6pm and a service will immediately follow.  Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status at the church.  Burial will be Monday at 10:30 at Holy Sepulchre on Third Avenue Extension in Rensselaer. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers contributions to be made to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation located at 1757 Central Avenue, Suite 102, Albany, NY 12205 or the Veterans Miracle Center located at 10 Interstate Avenue, Albany, NY, 12205.