The Newburgh City Council announced yesterday that flags will be flown at half staff at its Water Department headquarters to honor retired Water Superintendent John Platt, who passed away last week at the age of 69.
The American flag at the Water Department building, located at 493 Little Britain Road, will remain lowered for five days in remembrance of Platt’s accomplishments that still continue to guide how the Water Department operates.
Platt was a resident of Wurtsboro in Sullivan County. He passed away at the Garnet Medical Center in Middletown on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
“John was a genuinely kind husband, father and friend,” a family statement read. “He would drop whatever he was doing to lend a helping hand and always knew how to fix anything. John not only had an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience, he loved to tell stories of his life and gave insightful advice.”
In his retirement, Platt was known for building custom guitars for his family members and donating others to local fundraisers. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, three daughters, three grandchildren, six siblings, and an extended family.
“Our thoughts are with Mr. Platt’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time,” the Council wrote in a prepared statement.
A celebration of Platt’s life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 1:00 pm, at the Wurtsboro Firehouse.
