MILLBROOK — Sometimes people pass quietly through the lives of others, and while they are loved and cared for, their impact is noticed most after they are gone and missed. Gentle people have a tendency to stand aside, very often happy to let others take the limelight, yet their presence is keenly felt. The late Robert Trump, the brother of President Donald Trump, who died on Aug. 15 at the age of 71, was one such person.
For much of his life, Robert Trump was in the limelight, involved in big business, married for 25 years to socialite Blair Trump, and very visible in the charitable and social circles of New York. Yet he never seemed to crave the exposure, and when he moved to Millbrook in 2013, he became just another hobby farmer, a neighbor everyone appeared to love, a person with a big heart who gave time, energy and money to local charities — especially those that helped children and animals, two things close to his heart.
Trump was a familiar sight in the community, driving his pickup truck, wearing his ever-present plaid shirt.
As one friend said, “You’d be more likely to see Robert in Stewart’s Shop or at the Millbrook Diner as you would in a fancy restaurant or at the country club.”
He and his new wife, Anne Marie (Pallan), whom he married in March 2020 after many years of being together, entertained their family, her children and grandchildren and their friends often. The majority of events they attended were in support of various local charities.
Anne Marie was the co-owner of the popular Monte’s Local Kitchen & Tap Room in Amenia, which closed last month due to the coronavirus pandemic; the couple was known to treat customers like friends, visiting each table, talking to everyone and becoming fast friends with customers. Monte’s was a frequent scene for many charity events.
One charity Trump was involved with was Angels of Light, which makes Christmas wishes come true for local terminally ill children and their families.
Millbrook businesswoman, Lori Decker, co-founder of the charity, spoke highly of Trump.
“With Robert, it was always about the greater good,” she said. “He was humble and kind.”
Decker’s family had dinner with Trump shortly before he died. She said she’ll miss visiting with him and his wife, and working on good causes together. “He was smart, funny and he had a heart of gold.”
Deanna Mancuso is the founder of Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue in Dover Plains, which often benefited from Trump’s generosity; she remembered words of wisdom that he shared with her.
“Be impeccable with your word. If you say you’re going to do something, do it and do it kindly. Always be kind,” Mancuso said Trump advised her. She said she struggled when she learned of his death. “Today was one of those days I wasn’t sure how I’d get through. This morning I was still sobbing after hearing the news of Robert. As the kids kept showing up and the horses needed tending, my grief had to be met with responsibility. That is one of the greatest lessons I learned from Mr. Trump.”
Danielle Mollica-Whitely and her son, Dominick, were great fans of Trump as well. She remembers fondly the time when he took her young son aside at an Angels of Light Christmas event at Monte’s. He read him a book the Monte family wrote about its dog, named “Monte,” and gave him a stuffed animal modeled after the mutt. Dominick looked up to him fondly and slept with the toy puppy for months, said his mom, who so appreciated that Trump took the time to spend a moment with a small boy “that would stay with him forever.”
Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson had a longstanding relationship with Robert Trump.
“We were very good friends, and in fact neighbors, living just a few towns apart, said Anderson. “He was a casually elegant man with a great love of life and family. He loved his dogs, horses, enjoyed heavy equipment and most importantly the relationship he shared for all these years with Ann Marie, his wife, and now the grandchildren.”
As with so many other friends and neighbors, Anderson was touched by Trump’s generosity and community spirit.
“He was a wonderfully, engaging individual and whenever I called upon him to assist me with a charity or children in need of assistance, his response was always, ‘What can I do to help?’” said the sheriff.
KENT — Frederick Wright Hosterman passed away peacefully in his home in Kent on April 16, 2025. Born in 1929 in Auburn, Nebraska, he was the son of farmers. He attended a one-room schoolhouse just outside of Brownville, Nebraska, adjacent to his family’s farm. The little brick schoolhouse is still standing! After graduating from high school, Fred attended the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), eventually earning a master’s degree in agronomy. He took a job with Monsanto in Buffalo, New York, where the company was a pioneer in applying biotechnology to agricultural sciences. In Buffalo, Fred met his future wife, Dorothy. Fred and Dorothy moved to New York City for several years in the early 1960s, before settling down in Norwalk. In Norwalk, Fred and Dorothy had three children. The family later moved to Kent. In 1980, Fred and Dorothy divorced, and Fred bought a large tract of land on Carter Road in Kent. He built a house there, largely by himself, which he maintained until his death at age 95. After taking early retirement, he spent the following decades working on his property, adding various buildings, woodcrafting, landscaping, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Fred had a jovial and close relationship with many of his neighbors, who he saw daily, all willing to share a cup of coffee or receive various bits of wisdom from Fred on any number of projects.
Fred was predeceased by his parents; Helen and Arch Hosterman, step-mother Cassie Hosterman, sisters Ruth and Esther Marie, brother Richard, and former wife Dorothy. He is survived by his three children and their spouses; John and his husband Eric of Northfield, Minnesota, Tracy and her partner, Sam, of Amenia, New York, and Catherine and her husband, Josh, of Cornwall. He is also survived by his five grandchildren; Nicky, Dan, Ian, Zachary, and Eliza, and several nieces and nephews.
Fred loved to flirt with the ladies, even in his 90s, doing a little “dance” for almost anyone he met. Another of Fred’s favorite hobbies was chopping down trees on his land. Initially, this started out as a necessity for fueling his wood stoves. Later, tree-clearing projects were aimed at enhancing the magnificent view from his house high atop Carter Road. Even at age 95, Fred was frequently on his excavator moving boulders or building a retaining wall, as he was strong, healthy and witty until his final weeks.
CANAAN — Nancy (Case) Brenner, 81, of Canaan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, following a long illness on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
Nancy was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Ray Sargeant Case Sr. and Beatrice Southey Case. She was the second youngest of five children, predeceased by her three brothers, Ray S. Case Jr., David E. Case and Douglas C. Case, and her sister Linda (Case) Olson. She grew up in New Hartford and Winsted, where she graduated from Northwestern Regional 7 High School.
Nancy is predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Thomas E. Brenner. Often nicknamed “the love birds,” they were true soulmates and shared many wonderful years together filled with love, laughter, travel and family. Nancy is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly — Lori, Richard, Kathleen, Kevin, Debbie, Karen, Carrie, Jennifer, Tom, Scott and Kimberlee. She was a special aunt leaving behind so many happy and joyful memories. She never missed attending her nieces’ and nephews’ special events.
Nancy worked for over 20 years at Raynard and Pierce in Canaan. There she made many friendships and brightened the day of everyone who went through the door greeted by her smile and jovial spirit. Nancy was a loving wife, daughter, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who’s lives she touched.
A graveside service will be held at Collinsville Cemetery on Huckleberry Hill Road in Canton on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at 5 Cherry Brook Road, Canton. Memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s name to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 012011, where Nancy adopted her loving cat and faithful companion, Dusty.
SHEFFIELD — Adam Rand, 59, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on April 22, 2025, after a long battle with ALS.
Adam was born on April 6, 1966, to Lee and Charles Rand II of Boston, Massachusetts. Adam spent his early childhood in Nantucket, where his love of fishing and water was born before moving to Sharon. It was here where he made many lifelong friends and later graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1984. He attended Hiram College in Ohio before settling in Connecticut.
Adam was a master of all trades, a seasoned contractor and practiced carpenter. He was always eager to learn and became a skilled woodworker in his later years of life. His work ethic was undeniable. Adam was passionate about his family, his work and anything with an engine.
Adam leaves behind his loving wife, Annie Rand, his children, Samantha Rand (Nantucket) and Jack Rand (Canaan), his brother and sister in-law, Greg and Cindy Rand (Nantucket), and their children, Olivia, Maxwell and Samuel Rand (Boston), as well as the mother of his children and former wife, Nancy Rand (Collinsville)
Services will be held for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. Or Online at ccals.org
