IN MEMORIAM: Bennie L. Pratt, 95;

WWII Vet, Construction Electrician

ONEONTA – Oneonta native Bennie Lee Pratt, 95, a World War II veteran and electrician on construction projects, passed away at Harpursville home on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.

Bennie was born May 23, 1924, in Oneonta, to Benjamin and Mildred (Warner) Pratt.

He graduated from Oneonta High School and enlisted in the Navy at the outbreak of World War II, serving from 1943 to 1946 as an electrician’s mate, second class, in the South Pacific Theater aboard the USS LCI 847.

He then married Elinor Ruth Kabat on June 2, 1951, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Binghamton.

After the war, he joined IBEW Local 325, working many of the landmark structures and college buildings around the Southern Tier, including IBM, Link, state and federal offices and the airport.

Ben had a passion for the outdoors. He fished every trout stream, knew where to find the biggest salmon, and had a knack for always taking trophy bucks.  He loved putting out trail cameras to watch “his” deer, and was on his quad daily, making the rounds of his hilltop ranch.

Always willing to lend a hand, we’ll miss his infectious “can-do” attitude, generosity and wry sense of humor. He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love.

Ben was preceded by his wife Ruth in 2011, and survived by his son, Bryan Lee Pratt and wife April, residing in Charleston, S.C.; his daughter, Karen and husband Daniel Foster (Hillcrest); grand-daughter Desiree Ritter and husband Daniel, and great-grandchildren children Dean, Evelyn and Theo, residing in Bozeman, Mont.; and grandson Dillon, a senior at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home, 69-71 Maple St., Harpursville.  Pastor Michele Clark of N. Fenton United Methodist Church will officiate.

Burial will be in Port Crane Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends at the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home on Fri. from 5 to 7 p.m.  Online condolences may be made at:  www.omaddenfh.com.