Mark A. Gryska, 94, of Colonial Drive, New Hartford, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2016 at his home, with his loving family by his side. He was born September 27, 1921, in Edwardsville, PA, the only child of the late Leo and Theodora Betz Gryczka and was a Class of 1939 graduate of St. Cecilia High School in Wyoming, PA. With the threat of WW II, he began working at the Westinghouse Defense Plant in the shipyards of Philadelphia, PA. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor assault, Mark enlisted in the US Army and was attached to the 604th Ordinance Battalion, then the European Theater and eventually taking part in the liberation of Paris. He became the battalion photographer where he was privileged in photographing General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George S. Patton. As they proceeded down the Champs des Elysees in Paris with thousands of GI's, General Patton used Mark's jeep in the parade. He recorded in photos, 4 years of the famous 604th achievements and later compiled a documentary that was shown at their reunions for over 50 years. After returning home in 1946, Mark opened a photography business in eastern PA and on November 28, 1946, in Wilkes Barre, PA, he married Sophie Grundowski, a loving union of 70 years. As the television era came, he attended a television workshop in New York City and was placed in WKTV in Deerfield in 1953, where he worked as their chief photographer for 38 years. His first news team was with announcer Lyle Bosley and dear friend Jack Durant, News Director. Some of Mark's first television commercials he produced was the car dealership of Joe Carbone, The Boston Store and Berger's Department Store. He enjoyed this area, the people he photographed and the many stories they participated in for NBC. His career was concluded in 1992, after enjoying 38 years of loyal, conscientious and responsible service, with great satisfaction from his work, management, and employees of WKTV. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing and spending time with Oriskany Joe Klosek, the outdoor sportsman Jack Fredericks, his right hand man Bob Servatius and fellow photographer and dear friend John Caruso. His passion was gardening and was well known for growing fine varieties of vegetables. He was a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 101 of Utica. He is survived by his wife, Sophie; four children, Marcia Corsi of New Hartford, Laura (Doug) Gallant of Brighton, Mark (Ellen Hirschberg) Gryska of North Hampton, MA and Carl (Gerardo Regalado) Gryska of Los Angeles, CA; eight grandchildren, Brigitte (Tim) Page of Fayetteville, Catherine (Keith Johnson) McGrath of Rochester, Darien (Enrique) Molina of Taberg, Erin (Rob Pawluk) McGrath of Fort Plain, Heather Gallant of Rochester, Aaron Gallant of Rochester, Oriana Hirschberg of Columbus, OH and Asher Gryska of North Hampton, MA; and five great grandchildren with whom "pop pop" shared a special bond, Dylan, Claire, Enrique, Marcus and Gabriel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford, followed by military honors outside the church. Entombment will take place at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at the families' convenience. There are no calling hours. The family would like to thank Stash Babiarz, for years of loyal devotion and Dr. Oleg Dulkin for the compassionate care and friendship he provided. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. Arrangements are with the Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford.