Dolores "Pudge" Ptak

Dolores Ptak, 89, affectionately known by family and friends as Pudge, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Albany Medical Center, with her loving family by her side.
Dolores was born in Utica, on October 14, 1936, the daughter of Edmund and Agnes Myrtle (Erhardt) Wertz. She was raised in Utica and was a 1954 graduate of Utica Free Academy. At one time, Dolores was married to Eugene Ptak and the couple had three beloved daughters. Dolores began her career as a telephone operator at NY Telephone Company where she worked for many years, retiring as an administrative assistant from Verizon Phone Company in 1996. After retirement, she went to work part-time as a secretary at Watson Williams School in Utica. Dolores was an active member and past president of The New York Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting and playing cards at the North Utica Senior Center as well as with family and friends. In her younger years, she was an avid bowler, and was active in various leagues at Pin-O-Rama Bowling Alley.
Dolores is survived by her three beloved daughters, Nadine (William) Fitts of Deerfield, Lorraine Ptak of Utica and Linda Ptak of Whitesboro; three cherished grandsons, whom she was extremely proud of, Sgt. First Class Ryan (Liz) Fitts of NC, Dr. Christopher Fitts and his fiancée Aissatou Ndiaya of Rochester and Sean Fitts of Deerfield; an adored great granddaughter, Wrenley Fitts and her longtime friend, Betty Murtaugh, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Evelyn LaPlante.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Dolores' funeral Mass of Christian burial on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Peter's Church, 422 Coventry Ave., N. Utica. She will be laid to rest at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Yorkville. Visitation for family and friends is Thursday, November 13th from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dolores' memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.