John Michael Tymchyn died doing what he loved — he was behind home plate, playing baseball.

“J.T. was suddenly called to his eternal rest on Sunday, April 17, 2016,” his family wrote in a tribute. He was 44.

He was born on Sept. 7, 1971 in Albany to Walter J. Tymchyn and the late Patricia Ann Tymchyn. He was raised in Guilderland Center where his father worked for the town’s highway department and his mother was a homemaker. As a kid, and throughout his life, he loved animals, said his sister, StacieAnn Farina. At the time of his death, he had a beagle named Lucy; his family described her as “a very special four-legged buddy.”

“As soon as J.T. could walk, you would always see him with a baseball glove,” his family wrote.

He started his baseball career at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland, playing Pee-wee tee-ball, moving up to Little League, then Babe Ruth and North Albany American Legion.

“Through the years and John’s endeavors, his passion for baseball grew,” his family wrote. “He never lost sight of what he wanted to do.”

He played ball with the St. Petersburg Saints and various other teams when he lived in Florida. This season, he started catching with the Albany Diamondbacks.

“He just loved the game,” said his father, Walter Tymchyn.  “The excitement of the game,” added his sister.

“He had various jobs in different places — he lived in Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and most recently Connecticut,” Ms. Farina said. In Connecticut, she said, he was the manager of three stores that sold chicken wings.

If he moved to a place that didn’t have a baseball team, he would start one. “There was no established baseball team in Cape May, New Jersey,” said Ms. Farina. “He started a wiffle-ball tournament there.”

She also said, “John was the biggest Boston Red Sox fan that ever existed.” He’d travel to Fenway Park in Boston to see their games whenever he could and otherwise he’d listen to them on the radio. “He never missed a game,” she said.

“Whether he was with family or friends, John always had a smile and a good baseball story to share,” his family wrote.

“He was happy-go-lucky,” said his father.

“If there was something to laugh about, he would laugh,” said his sister. “He was young and carefree.”

She also said, “He loved his travels.” He had visited Costa Rica, Cancun, and the Great Wall of China, she said. “He wanted to see what was out there.”

Ms. Farina said, too, “He loved his family….He’s been missing Mom, and he’s with her again. That is a comfort.”

She went on, “He loved his friends.” She quipped, “We should have had the service at the Pepsi Arena.” There is good reason he had so many friends.  “He was outgoing and a good listener,” she said. “He would give you the shirt off of his back.”

Ms. Farina concluded, “He was such a good person. He loved life. He loved everything about life. He loved the people in it.”

“He was very fair with everybody,” said his father.

He had a frequent gesture of putting his hand on his heart. “He had a big heart,” his sister said through tears.

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John Michael Tymchyn is survived by his father, Walter J. Tymchyn; his brother, Scott A. Tymchyn; his sister, StacieAnn Farina; his brother-in-law, Nick J. Farina; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many friends including his lifelong best friend, Kenny Constable.

His mother, Patricia Ann Tymchyn, died before him as did a very special baby girl.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, April 22, at 6 p.m. at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, New York. Everyone is welcome. He was an organ donor.

Memorial contributions may be made to Steve Caporizzo’s Pet Connection.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer