Richard F. Ploss, Jr.

Richard “Dick” F. Ploss, Jr., 81, of the Town of Oppenheim, New York, passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning, April 19, 2024, at his home on his 81st birthday with his loving wife, Joyce, by his side.

He was born on April 19, 1943 in Little Falls, New York and was the son of the late, Richard and Virginia (Plato) Ploss, Sr. Dick began his education in Kindergarten on Van Buren Street, First Grade at the Union Free School and then transferred to Stratford Central School where he graduated with the Class of 1961.

On April 29, 1961, Dick was united in marriage to Joyce H. Burris at the Salisbury United Methodist Church Parsonage in Salisbury Center, New York. The couple shared a union of nearly 63 years together.

He was a self-employed tree pruner by trade and worked his way to becoming a tree pruner supervisor for the New York State Department of Transportation, Region II in Utica, New York and became the Highway Maintenance Supervisor II in Johnstown, New York for over 20 years. In earlier years, Dick worked for contractor, Harold Johnson, Giffith Fuel and Gehring-Tricot.

Dick was a member of the Stratford United Methodist Church, a life member of the National Rifle Association, the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons Lodge 796, the NYS Christmas Tree Growers Association, the Young Republican Club, the CSEA Union, and was a former member of the Stratford Volunteer Fire Department.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and considered himself an amateur gun smith. Dick enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren great-great grandchildren and his brothers, all who will miss him dearly.

Dick is survived by his wife, Joyce Ploss at home; two sons, John Ploss and his wife, Joan of Stratford, NY and James Ploss, Sr. and his wife, Tina, Barneveld, NY; grandchildren, Jason Ploss and his wife, Michelle of Herkimer, NY, Tricia Caponera and her companion, Dave Mower of Cold Brook, NY, Sarah Waters and her husband, Derick of Lassellsville, NY, James Ploss, Jr. and his companion, Chloie of Seattle, WA, Steven Ploss and his wife, Christine of Remsen, NY, Michael Dunn and his wife, Carissa of Utica, NY, and Kristin Stooks and her companion, Travis Shields of Remsen, NY; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Lovett her companion, Derek, Nataley Caponera, Adian Ploss, Landon Ploss, Emerson Waters, Evelyn Waters, Avery Ploss, Harper Ploss; great-great grandchildren, Luci Lovett, Declan Perschieri, Jayce Dunn, Trent Dunn, Presley Stooks, Jaxon Stooks, and Wilder Sheilds; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerry and Donna Ploss of Dolgeville, NY and Bradley and Lisa Ploss of Oppenheim, NY; a sister-in-law, Patricia Young in Stratford, NY; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousin, friends and neighbors.

He was predeceased by his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Harold and Alice Burris, a sister, Andrea Maynard and her husband, William; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Dale Smith; and a brother-in-law, Walter Young.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at locally owned and family operated Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329, Cremations and Funerals. A funeral service will be held immediately following the calling hours at 4 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Matt Worley officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date in the Ploss Family Plot of the Smith Cemetery on Voorhees Road in the Town of Oppenheim, New York.

The Ploss Family would like to thank the Oppenheim and Hilltop Fire Departments and ambulance services for their care and compassion for Dick in his final moments.

Please consider memorial contributions for the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department, 6786 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville, NY 13452 or the Stratford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 74, Salisbury Center, NY 13454. Please note in the memo of the check: “In Memory of Richard F. Ploss, Sr.” so that the contribution can be properly acknowledged.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Ploss Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or share a photo or memory for his online memory book.

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