Henry J. Beneke

MILLERTON — Henry J. Beneke, 75, a lifelong Millerton resident died peacefully on June 20, 2016 at Sharon Hospital 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 Nov. 12, 1940, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Engel (Hinck) and Joachim Beneke. Mr. Beneke was a graduate of Roeliff Jansen Central School and attended college for two years at the State University of New York at Cobleskill. 

On Nov, 24, 1967, in Bronx, N.Y., he married Carol A. Hinrichsen, the love of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Beneke shared more than 49 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 66 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, N.Y.; his son, Kenneth Beneke and his companion, Casey Swift, of Millerton; a brother, George Beneke and his wife, Cathy, of Hillsdale, N.Y.; a sister, Katherine (Beneke) Lyle and her husband, Robert, of Vernon, Conn.; three grandchildren, Dianna Colpitts, Ella Main and Harrison Beneke; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

A private burial will be held Thursday, June 23, at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton, the Rev. Henry Prause officiating. A celebration of Mr. Beneke’s life will be held on Sunday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at Willow Brook Farm on Old Post Road in Millerton. 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. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton. To send an online condolence, go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com.

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