Frank Putorti

Frank Putorti Jr., 93, of Knollwood Avenue, Amsterdam, NY, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024

at The Pines at Catskill Skilled Nursing Facility.

Born in Amsterdam on February 13, 1931, he was the son of the late Frank and Antoinette

Fondacaro Putorti.

Frank received his education in the Amsterdam school system and was a graduate of Wilbur H.

Lynch Senior High School, Class of 1948.

Frank was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving from 1951 to 1953 and subsequently transferring to the Army Reserves until his discharge in 1957 with the rank of

Corporal.

He was united in marriage to Audrey Kelly Putorti on September 12, 1953. Audrey predeceased

Frank on June 17, 2006.

In his teens and twenties, he was the clarinet and saxophone player in a local polka wedding band and later, a frequent pit musician in the Summer Recreation theater program with performances at Catskill High School.

He retired as Foreman of the Composing Room at the Amsterdam Recorder in 1992 after 38

Years.

He was a passionate motorcycle aficionado and conducted a solo trek on his Honda Goldwing across the United States at the age of 55.

Frank was a parishioner and communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam.

Frank was a talented woodworker who was proud to have helped in the construction of his home in the early 1950’s and built a two-bedroom dormer on his house to accommodate the needs of his growing family. He is renowned for the creation of thousands of names for people in the community and literally throughout the world. Anyone who touched his life would receive a gift of their name in wood: bank tellers, physicians, nurses, receptionists, car mechanics, lawyers, friends of family members, neighbors, and more. He also mailed packages of these wooden names in the mail to those who were celebrating a life milestone published in one of the local newspapers: school graduations, dean’s list announcements, engagements, weddings, wedding anniversaries, etc.. He did this for many decades and was still sending them two weeks before his death. In the earlier years, he sent them anonymously and later with a return address to allow people to contact him with any questions or concerns. These gifts were given freely from his heart to spread joy. He expected nothing in return. A Letter to the Editor in The Recorder by Marisa Martuscello (Frank delivered her name in person to her home) some years ago was titled “We need more people like Frank.”

Frank is survived by his three children: Cynthia A. Putorti (Kenneth Tsukada) of Catskill, NY; Mark F. Putorti (Kristi) of Colchester, CT; and, Michael F. Putorti of Rochester, NY; seven grandchildren:

Jessica Gifford (Rick) of Honeoye, NY; Alexis, Christopher, Nicholas, Audra, and Leah Putorti of Colchester, CT; Katelyn Tsukada (William Holm) of Brooklyn, NY; and, three great grandchildren: Sebastian and Otto Gifford of Honeoye, NY; and, Mackenzie Holm of Brooklyn, NY.

Nieces and nephews also survive.

Frank was also predeceased by two sisters, Emma Putorti Magielda and Virginia Putorti Alescio.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated Friday,

July 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010,

With Fr. Juanito Asprec officiating.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Riley Mortuary, Inc.,

110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

Memorial gifts in Frank’s name may be made to The Montgomery County SPCA at https://www.mc-spca.com/support-us.

To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.rileymortuaryinc.com.