Madonna Ptak

PTAK, Madonna Marie McAndrews 89, passed away peacefully at the Madonna Ptak Rehab Center on the Morton Plant campus in Clearwater, after an extended illness. Madonna was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Wilbur (Wil) Ptak. A native of Lorain, OH, Madonna was a community volunteer who focused on helping those who were less fortunate. Madonna volunteered for over 25 years with the Red Cross, often times taking a bus and two street cars to get there several times a week. During their years in Middleburgh Heights, OH, they funded scholarships through the Wil Ptak Trade and Industry Scholarship Fund at the Lorain Community Foundation and supported the Lorain Family YMCA. Relocating to Clearwater in 1977, after they sold their manufacturing business, Fastway Fasteners, the Ptaks spent the next three decades providing philanthropic support for agencies in our community. The Clearwater Free Clinic, Religious Community Services, St. Petersburg College, the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP), Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Humane Society of Pinellas all benefitted from their generosity. Their largest investments in our community were through Morton Plant Mease, including the Ptak Orthopedic and Neurosciences Pavilion home of the Madonna Ptak Center for Alzheimers Research. This multi-million dollar investment creates the ultimate legacy for them both providing significant funding for both treatment and research in our own community. As Wil stated in an interview in 2007, "Donna has always played a large role in each of our gifts and takes great pride in what we have done here", "In fact, as I think about it, she probably prompted my initial giving to Morton Plant Mease." In 2004, Wil and Madonna received the Morton Plant Mease Foundation's Golden Flame of Philanthropy, the Foundation's highest honor. When asked why his philanthropic concentration focused on health care, Mr. Ptak responded, "Some of us are fortunate to have the means to help our community. We, who have the ability, also have the responsibility to make quality health care available to others. It is an honor to be able to help; it is also the greatest feeling to know we can make a difference in people's lives." Madonna was a member of St. Brendan Catholic Church. A private burial service is planned in North Olmsted, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Madonna Ptak Center for Alzheimers Research c/o Morton Plant Mease Foundation, 1200 Druid Road South, Clearwater, FL 33756.