VALHALLA, NY — A Pine Bush man who suffered critical injuries in a devastating explosion at Boyce Excavating in Wawayanda has tragically died, nearly a month after the incident.
30-year-old Joey Kratzke passed away last Friday at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he had been receiving treatment since the June 17 explosion.
A Routine Welding Task Turns Tragic
According to the New York State Police, Kratzke had been welding on the flatbed of a truck when an explosion suddenly erupted, engulfing the vehicle in flames. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and Kratzke was immediately transported to the hospital in critical condition.
He underwent multiple surgeries over the following weeks in an attempt to save his life.
A Grueling Medical Fight
Kratzke’s wife, Cassie, shared the gravity of his condition in a Facebook update posted three weeks after the explosion. She revealed that Joey suffered third-degree burns on 95 percent of his body, leaving his survival odds at just 50-50.
In addition to extensive burns, Kratzke’s kidneys began to fail, requiring dialysis. He also endured a GI bleed, and needed several blood transfusions in the days following surgery. Despite intensive medical efforts, his body ultimately could not recover from the trauma.
“We have a very long, uncertain road ahead of us and are nowhere near out of the woods,” Cassie had written at the time — a statement that underscored the seriousness of his condition and the emotional weight on his family.
Remembering a Devoted Family Man
In his obituary, Kratzke is remembered as a dedicated husband, loving father, and hardworking provider. A native of Rockville, Connecticut, he lived in Pine Bush with his wife and their two children — a son and daughter.
“He was the kind of dad who played in the yard even after a long shift,” the obituary read. “He never missed a horse show and the chance to support his wife and kids. He was always up for teaching his kids how an engine or piece of machinery worked and making their toy cars just that much faster.”
Joey Kratzke is described as the rock of his family, always putting his loved ones first and sharing his knowledge, warmth, and support at every turn.
Community Rallies to Support the Family
In the wake of his passing, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the Kratzke family with funeral and living expenses. The fundraiser has drawn support from across the region, as friends, co-workers, and strangers alike offer condolences and donations to aid the grieving family.
Kratzke is survived by his wife Cassie, their two children, his parents, and brother. His sudden loss has left a deep void in both his family and the wider community that knew him as a kind, hardworking, and generous man.
The explosion remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet released further details about the cause. In the meantime, the Hudson Valley community mourns the loss of one of its own — a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and fought valiantly until the very end.
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