Everyone at Cowsmopolitan expresses their deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Henry Beneke of Willow Brook Farm in Millerton, NY, who left this earth on June 20th.
Millerton – Henry J. Beneke, 75, a lifelong Millerton, NY, resident died peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2016 at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT, with his loving family at his side. Mr. Beneke owned and operated Willow Brook Farm, a nationally recognized Holstein dairy farm that he and his father created in Millerton many years ago.
Born November 12, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Joachim and Engel (Hinck) Beneke. Henry was a graduate of Roeliff Jansen Central School and attended college for two years at State University of New York at Cobleskill. On November 24, 1967 in Bronx, NY, he married Carol A. Hinrichsen, the love of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Beneke shared over forty nine years of marriage. Mrs. Beneke survives at home.
Mr. Beneke served the agriculture community as well as his local community on several different levels throughout his life. He served as director and president of the ENYHA club, he was a master breeder and member of the New York Holstein Association, a lifetime director and past president of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society Fair Board where he showed cattle for sixty six consecutive years, a member of the National Holstein Association of America board of directors, a member of the board of directors of the Millerton Coop, he served as president of the Irondale Cemetery Association, was a former Village of Millerton Councilman and Town of North East Supervisor and also was an advisory board member of Chase Manhattan Bank as well as an International Holstein judge and a member of the Millerton Presbyterian Church.
Henry was the epitome of the American farmer, a good husband, the best Dad, and the finest grandfather. Henry’s friendly personality and good nature made him a great friend and mentor to all. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
In addition to his beloved wife Carol, Henry is survived by his daughter Heidi Main and her husband Lyn of Copake, NY, and his son Kenneth Beneke and his companion Casey Swift of Millerton, NY; a brother George Beneke and his wife Cathy of Hillsdale, NY and a sister Katherine Beneke Lyle and her husband Robert of Vernon, CT; three grandchildren, Dianna Colpitts, Ella Main and Harrison Beneke and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
There are no calling hours. A private burial took place today (Thursday) June 23, 2016 at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton, NY. The Rev. Henry Prause officiated. A celebration of Henry’s life will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at Willow Brook Farm, 196 Old Post Road # 4, Millerton, NY at 11am. Family and friends are invited to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern New York Holstein Henry J. Beneke Scholarship Foundation, C/O Joe Rochfort, P.O. Box 632, Millbrook, NY 12545.