Obituary of Theodore John Larys

Long time Greene County resident, Theodore John Larys, 78, passed away at the Greene Meadows Skilled Nursing facility in Catskill on Sunday, January 17, 2021. He succumbed after a brief battle with Covid-19. He was born in Plainfield, NJ. At the age of 12 he moved with his parents Bohumir and Anne B. Larys (both deceased), and his sister Adrienne to a house just below the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony in Woodstock, NY. He made friends with Peter Whitehead and Byrdcliffe’s caretakers, the Van Kleeks, who introduced “John” to farming. He learned how to milk cows and tend to pigs and chickens in the Byrdcliffe barn and stable. To further pursue their interest in farming, John and his parents moved to Prattsville to a property on Dog Hill that was once part of the Fredenburg farm. While living in Woodstock, John learned about carpentry and built roof trusses. In addition to farming he loved to build doghouses and other small outbuildings. He also worked at Hughes Lumber Mill in Conesville. He is a graduate of Onteora Central School in Boiceville. He took courses at the BOCES in Grand Gorge. He has been remembered by his high school classmates as a “Gentle Giant” and for his love of animals. He is survived by his sister Adrienne of Troy, NY. Arrangements have been taken care of by Decker Funeral Home in Windham, NY. At this time nothing further is planned.