Everyone here at Cowsmo extends our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Horace.
Horace A. Backus, 96, of Mexico, NY passed away peacefully on October 22, 2024.
Horace was born into a family heavily instilled in dairy farming. In 1943, at the age and while still in high school, he started working in the Backus Pedigree Company until November 1953 when he was put into the auction box as a pedigree man. His background in and passion for Holstein pedigrees would earn him recognition worldwide, as he dedicated much of his life to the details of the Holstein breed. Horace would spend the next 30 years managing sales until 1983, when the auction portion of business was sold leaving him to be a free-lance pedigree man, until which time he started working for the Cattle Exchange as their pedigree man. He kept climbing into the sale box until he was almost 89; his last sale being for the Cornell University Dairy Club in October 2016. His success could be attributed to his detailed knowledge of the Holstein breed, but also his respect for each dairy farmer and others working in the dairy industry. Horace was asked many times which National Sale, consignment sale or dispersal was his favorite and the answer was always the same, it was the sale he was working on at that time, as everyone’s herd or consignment was treated with equal importance. He earned the name “Dean of Pedigrees” due to his knowledge of the Holstein breed.
He also authored a series of books on several well-known herds, sales and his experiences. There was no questioning his enjoyment of researching these books and listening to the stories from the individuals he interviewed. His books exemplified his commitment to preserving the history and enhancing the future of the Holstein breed, and those books will continue to serve information to breeders and researchers for years to come.
The lasting legacy of Horace Austin Backus will always be his utmost kindness, caring, knowledge, respect, enthusiasm and his integrity in every instance. He served two 4-year terms on the Holstein Association Board of Directors. Horace was honored by the New York Association for his distinguished service to the breed. He was chosen as an honorary member of the Arthur Klussendorf Memorial Association at the World Dairy Expo. A man who loved his work as much as Horace did endeared him to countless friends and colleagues. Beyond his work, he would serve as a Sunday School Superintendent at the First Presbyterian church and also served on the Mexico school Board of Education for 10 years.
Horace was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Doris Anne Nicholson Backus and by his eldest son, Harry.
He is survived by a son John (Debra) Backus; their sons Jesse (Lauren) Vorrasi, Andrew (Hidemi) Backus; Jonathan Backus; great-grandchildren Sophie Vorrasi, Landon Vorrasi, and John T. Backus; his daughter Kim (Marc) Grindle and their son Derek Grindle; brother-in-law William (Nancy) Nicholson: their children Shamus Nicholson, Dr. Katey Nicholson (Sarah), Shawn (Lindsay) Nicholson and family, and Sara (Craig) Clark: niece Heather Nicholson. Nephew Mark (Jane) Backus and their children Michael (Andrea) Backus and family, Robert Backus: niece Brenda (James) Hotchkiss and family.
Horace was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mexico and Funeral Services will be held at the church on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Karen Green officiating. Interment will be in Mexico Village Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to calling hours from 2 to 4pm Monday, October 28,2024 at Harter Funeral Home, 9 Washington Avenue, Mexico, NY. Online condolences may be left here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Horace Backus Scholarship Fund which can be found at www. Holstein Foundation.org. or the First Presbyterian Church, Mexico, NY.
