Heath B. Pritchard

Lee Center- Heath B. Pritchard, 30, Doctor of Physical Therapy, of Sulphur Springs Rd, passed away on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, New Hartford, while surrounded by his loving family, after a three year heroic battle with cancer. Heath was born in Rome, on November 6, 1982, a son of Jason H. and Jeanette A. Olney Pritchard. He grew up in the Town of Lee, attending elementary school in West Leyden and graduating from Adirondack Senior High School, Boonville, with the Class of 2001. Thereafter he attended and graduated from M.V.C.C. where he earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, then he attended and graduated from the University of Buffalo, earning his Bachelor Degree in Physical Therapy, before completing his formal education, in May, 2009, at Daemen University of Buffalo, where he graduated earning his Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. While attending Adirondack Central High School, Heath excelled in athletics. He was a member of the A.C.S. Wildcat Football Team, playing as a line backer and tail back, he was the Team Captain for his junior and senior year football seasons and he led the Wildcat Team in the number of tackles made during his sophomore, junior and senior years on the team. Upon graduation from Adirondack, Heath was awarded the Terry Lynn Hull Memorial Football Award. He participated on the Adirondack wrestling team during his freshmen and sophomore years. Heath also loved baseball, beginning his playing at the Town of Lee Little League Angels Team, with his dad, Jason, as his coach, assisted by Joe Szczerba. In high school, he participated on the Adirondack Varsity Baseball Team, as a pitcher and center fielder. Later he was a member of the M.V.C.C. College Baseball Team, and the Charles J. Love Post American Legion Baseball Team. While in college, he was employed during the summer for Charbonneau Construction Co. of Boonville; during the school year, he was employed for several years for Pizza Hut Restaurant Chain, first in Rome, then in Buffalo, working as a cook and server at many restaurants. During his senior year in high school, Heath sustained an ankle injury during a football game. It was this injury and his subsequent quick recovery (due to an excellent Physical Therapist and his strong will to succeed in whatever he did), that enabled him to finish that football season and inspired Mr. Pritchard to enter the field of Physical Therapy. Dr. Pritchard began his career as a Physical Therapist with Onward Physical Therapy of Belford, TX, later employed for the same company in Oswego, NY, before transferring to a permanent position at the Crown Center Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility of Cortland, NY. He was a member of Point Rock United Methodist Church. Heath loved the outdoors and participation in deer hunting, fishing and four wheeling. He loved playing golf with his father, and brother, Zach; at the present time the threesome were fulfilling a goal in golfing at as many different golf courses around New York State, as possible. In addition to his parents, Jason and Jeanette, Heath is survived by two sisters and a brother in law, Tabitha and Travis Carrier, Westmoreland, and their children, Fiona and Hannah, Sally Pritchard, Lee Center; one brother and sister in law, Zachary and Kerrilyn Pritchard, Hilton, NY; his maternal grandmother, Emily Olney, Westmoreland; his paternal grandmother, Gladys Pritchard, Lee Center, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and by a special friend, Shana Marcy, Boonville. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Jon Olney, and his paternal grandfather, Bertrand Pritchard. His family wishes to express their sincere thanks and great appreciation to family members, many friends, coworkers and local businesses and the Ft. Stanwix Men's Club for contributions and great generosity in support of their son with the recent benefit for Heath. Also, his family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Faxton- St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, New Hartford, for their care and compassion. His Funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 A.M. at the Point Rock United Methodist Church, where Rev. Deborah Wollaber, pastor will officiate. Interment will follow in Point Rock Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday 6-9 P.M. and Friday 1-4 & 6-9 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to Adirondack Senior High School, State Rt. 294, Boonville, NY 13309, for a scholarship to be established in Heath's memory. For an on-line message of sympathy, or to share a memory of Heath, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.