John P. Witkop "Doc", 93, of Lake Placid went home to be with his Lord on Friday morning, February 3, 2023 at the Balmoral Assisted Living in Lake Placid. Doc was born on August 18, 1929 in Saratoga Springs, New York . H e was the son of Helen C. A'Hearn and William E. Witkop. Doc served his country with honors in the United States Air Force. He moved from Saratoga Springs to the Miami area in 1952 where he met his wife, Edna . They married February 12, 1955 and raised their family in Hollywood, FL. He worked for Thomas A Edison Industries in the dictation division. In 1971 , he started his own business, Witkop Office Machines, Inc. While living i n South Florida he was an avid offshore fisherman in the Atlantic, enjoying summer vacations in the Florida Keys . He enjoyed deer hunting in the the Adirondack Mountains with family and in Everglades and Alabama with friends. John also enjoyed playing a round of golf. And, he loved watching a good game on television. For many years , he raised his family at the Mears Ranch teaching his children the country way of life and creating life - long friendships. John had been a Lake Placid , FL weekender since the early 1980's and became a permanent resident after retiring in 2001. He then became an avid fresh-water fish er man living on Lake Francis. He owned a trailer at N ei bert s' F ish C amp for 15 years and enjoy ed many friends and fishing on Arbuckle Creek and Lake Istokpoga. He was of the Catholic faith . He attended St. James when in Lake Placid and St. Catherine's when living out at Neiberts'. John joined the National American Legion and frequented the Placid Post 25 in Lake Placid . He loved going on pizza night with family and friends. He loved to be with his family . He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren fishing, hunting and having great conversations with them. He loved watching the great-grandchildren having fun in the lake. Anytime Doc could have a get - together with family and friends under the "tree of knowledge" was a favorite . Doc is survived by his loving children, son; Terry (Colleen), daughter: Suzanne (Frank), four grandchildren ; Terry Jr., Frank Jr. Kristin (Patrick) and Patrick (Emily) , four great- grandchildren; Koa, Kason, Karlee, Emma, and family dog, Juliet. A celebration of Doc's life will be held under the " tree of knowledge " at a later time.