Baby Maximus John Ptak

February 27, 2020

NEW HARTFORD - Baby Maximus John Ptak, carried for 36 weeks in his mother’s womb, went home to Heaven as an Angel on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at MVHS at St. Luke’s Healthcare. Maximus was the son of Matthew John and Gina Marie (Barone) Ptak. While mom was carrying their long-awaited baby boy, he kicked and elbowed, especially after a good meal prepared by his daddy. He heard the roaring crowds when mom and dad took him to a Philadelphia Eagles football game. On this trip, they also visited the zoo and aquarium. He was a future Yankees fan. Along with his uncle, he attended a rock concert and a performance by country singer Chris Stapleton, where he was moving with his mom to the booming music. He enjoyed the calming effect that camping outdoors had on his mom, and ultimately on him. He knew the sounds of the horses at the Saratoga Race Track, and he went to work everyday with his mom. His daddy was so looking forward to taking him and his cousins fishing at the St. Lawrence and Salmon Rivers. He was a beautiful baby with chubby cheeks and a strong will, but his affliction with Down Syndrome denied him the chance to come into this world. His mom and dad did so much work to prepare his room filled with white furniture, tan accessories, a 4 foot giraffe with a bow tie, and children’s books, individually chosen for him. It was waiting for Maximus. If he had lived, his parents hoped he would blossom into a high-functioning Down Syndrome individual who would expand his horizons being part of a team and enjoy the life he was given. Deacon Paul Lehmann baptized Maximus John to assure his salvation, and Heaven now has him. Maximus’ memory will remain in the heart and soul of his daddy Matt and mommy Gina; his maternal grandparents, ‘papa’ Richard and ‘meme’ Nilsa Barone; paternal grandparents, ‘papa’ George Ptak and Candy Solomito, ‘nana’ Deborah Amodio and ‘papa’ John; and his canine “sister” Trixie. He also leaves his aunts and uncles, Nicholas Barone, Nicole and Ken Powers, Michael Barone; Jessica and Pete Hashim, and Jennifer Crescenzo; and his cousins, Christian, and Connor; Anthony, and Giovanni. Awaiting Maximus with open arms as he ascends are his great-grandparents, Sam and Antonia Saladino, Frank and Lena Barone, John and Dorothy Ptak, and Raymond and Dolores Jones. The family is grateful to the staff of MVHS at St. Luke’s/Labor and Delivery Unit, an amazing group of medical professionals, especially acknowledging Michelle, Melissa, Anesthesiologist Mike, and Carol; the outstanding team of the OR unit who rallied around Gina with great support; Dr. Scott Beattie, Dr. James Tichenor, and Dr. Brian Hearn as well as their staffs at Medical Arts Ob/Gyn for their empathic care and medical expertise; and Pediatric Cardiology, Dr. Smith and staff of Syracuse, NY. The family commemorated Maximus’ angelic life at a private time. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in Maximus’ memory may make a donation to The 21 Club of CNY, Inc., (a non-profit organization formed by parents and families who love someone with Down syndrome) PO Box 264, Washington Mills, NY 13479; the American Heart Association online at https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/new-york/mohawk-valley-region-home-page; or the Brody Savicki Foundation (whose mission is to raise acceptance, awareness and inclusion for babies born with Down syndrome) online at https://www.brodysbuddyride.org/donate. Funeral services will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.