Ronald ‘Ronny, Ronnie or Ron’ Osofsky

Pine Plains — Ronald “Ronny, Ronnie or Ron” Osofsky passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022, overlooking the alfalfa fields from the home where he and his wife Kathleen raised their family. Born January 27, 1941, with a love for the farm and a desire to spend all of his time with animals made dairy farming an easy choice for Ronny. His parents, Helen and David Osofsky, raised Ronny and his three younger siblings on the “Home Farm” on Schultz Hill Road in Pine Plains. The earliest stories of Ronny include his parents having to fence in the yard to keep him from running to the barn. However, he quickly burrowed underneath leading to more extreme measures.
He graduated from Pine Plains Central School in 1958 and went onto the University of Rhode Island, where he studied Animal Science and made lifelong friends who enjoyed their time visiting the farm and enjoying Helen’s cooking. After graduating in 1962, he returned home to farm and to substitute teach at the high school. A favorite family story was the time that Ronny fell in the manure pit at the farm, and against his objections, the principal insisted it was still okay for him to come teach that day. The students in that room probably still remember the odor.
His parents supported his dream to start his own farm in the area and he moved a few miles away to ultimately milk cows in the more modern facility on Route 82. He fell in love and married a local girl, Kathleen (Cathy) Freney in 1971. They welcomed three children, Jonathan, Carey and Daniel, as well as some beloved Golden Retrievers over the next decade. This is also when Ronny’s interest in high-end dairy cattle genetics peaked. Investor cattle becoming popular in the 1980s, which brought an influx of interest to dairy farms in the Hudson River Valley. It also allowed Ronny to expand the scope of his business and passion for dairy farming, adding on farms, including a show herd at the old Eldridge farm on Route 199 and the purchase of the old Deleval Research Farm on Prospect Hill Road, now the location of Ronnybrook Farm Dairy.
Aside from his family, one of his proudest accomplishments was the breeding of the bull, Ronnybrook Prelude, who for a time was one of most popular in the world and sired record breaking cattle across the globe, going on to become a great influencer of the Holstein breed through his progeny. While he loved the farm and the lifestyle it provided his family, he always thought there was a better way to dairy. As weekenders moved to the area and land prices were rising, he longed to ensure a sustainable business model for the farm. After becoming friends with their new neighbors from the city, the two couples, along with his youngest brother Sid and his former wife Joan spent a lot of evenings imagining and designing what ultimately became Ronnybrook Farm Dairy.
In 1991, at 50 years old, he helped launch a whole new business and began on-farm processing and direct retailing to customers through farmers’ markets and retail stores throughout the tri state area. It started small, with a focus on milk in glass bottles for the local area, but quickly grew into a major brand in the New York City market. Ronny always listened to customers, which is how their label expanded to include a full line of cultured products, like yogurt, flavored butter and ice cream. Ultimately, his brother Rick and his children Kate and Peter returned to the dairy. The family and many long time employees have grown the business to new heights. There were personal challenges, including a year in the hospital leading to a heart transplant; health challenges for his wife, Cathy and a global pandemic, but the one constant was the help and support of his tight-knit family, lifelong friends and long-standing Ronnybrook employees that Ronny considered family. A true testament to Ronny’s character and likeability are the friends and family that showed up to visit, bring treats and help him for decades. A special ‘thank you” to care-giver and friend, Lisa Zayas.
While Ronny loved his role as husband, father, farmer, brother, boss, cousin and friend, his favorite role was “Papa” to granddaughters’ Grace and Tatum and grandsons, Jack and Ronan. He loved that his son Daniel became a key part of the Ronnybrook team and he enjoyed talking cows and farming with anyone who would listen, especially his grandchildren.
Ronny is survived by wife, Cathy; children Jonathan Osofsky, Carey (Brian) Alberg, Daniel (Jennifer) Osofsky; four grandchildren, Grace Alberg, Tatum, Jack and Ronan Osofsky; brothers Rick (Jean) Osofsky, Sid (Cindy) Osofsky; sister Freda (Osofsky) Sanderson; sister-in-laws Ann (Curtis) Simmons, Natalie (Zipp) Guernsey, and Joan Osofsky, along with many beloved nieces, nephews and their growing families
Ronny’s accomplishments were great, but none greater than being able to enjoy them from the fertile soil of his childhood, with his wife, their children and their families, and his faithful adopted dog Oliver by his side with his roots firmly attached to this area. Perhaps, the greatest gift he leaves us is the daily reminder of how much he adored each of us.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to the Ronald Osofsky Scholarship Fund, c/o Carey Alberg, 229 Fordham Road, Valatie, New York 12184. Or better yet, honor Ronny by telling a story, eating some Ronnybrook ice cream, calling a friend/family member, or simply wave to a stranger like he did many times in his life. To share a favorite memory of Ron, or to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.peckandpeck.net.
In the case of Jacquier vs. Camardi, Torrington Superior Court ruled that candidates must properly complete the required endorsement paperwork in order to be included on the municipal ballot, per Connecticut General Statute 9-391.
NORTH CANAAN — Due to incomplete endorsement paperwork, Torrington Superior Court has ruled that two Democratic Town Committee nominees should not be included on North Canaan’s ballot in the upcoming Nov. 4 municipal election.
The case was initially brought on Sept. 5 by plaintiffs Jean Jacquier and Carol Overby against defendant Marilisa Camardi.
The plaintiffs requested to be included on the ballot despite failing to include the office they were running for on the endorsement slate that was filed by the DTC. The plaintiffs claimed they achieved substantial compliance with election laws because the accompanying State Elections Enforcement Commission paperwork was filed properly, even though the slate was not.
Upon review, Camardi, the acting Town Clerk in North Canaan, removed the two candidates from the ballot on advice from Secretary of the State Election Officer Heather Augeri. The SOTS office was alerted to the incomplete paperwork by First Selectmen Brian Ohler on Aug. 7.
An evidentiary hearing on Sept. 12 and subsequent arguments by attorneys on Sept. 19 led to the court’s decision.
Judge Ann E. Lynch filed her memorandum on Sept. 24 stating the plaintiffs failed to comply with Connecticut General Statute 9-391, which lays out candidate endorsement requirements.
Lynch’s decision acknowledges that other paperwork may have been filled out correctly, but that does not excuse the necessity to adhere to relevant election laws, she explains:
“The plaintiffs did not substantially comply with Connecticut General Statute 9-391 by filling out forms that pertain to completely different statutory requirements relating to campaign financing.
“This court cannot ignore the mandatory requirements of §9-391. Accordingly, this court finds that Camardi properly determined that Jacquier and Overby’s names cannot appear on the ballot for the November 2025 election.”
After the ruling, plaintiff attorney John Kennelly said, “Obviously we disagree with the judge’s interpretation of the law and exception to strict compliance with the statute. We believe that the judge’s ruling denies the people of North Canaan an opportunity to elect dedicated public servants. We are most disappointed with the actions of the First Selectman Ohler in that he knew of this potential issue weeks before he reported it to the Secretary of the State’s office, and he did so only after there was no chance for my client to fix the mistake. That type of partisan politics is a disservice to the citizens of North Canaan.”
Ohler responded. “This lawsuit does not pertain to me nor my position as North Canaan’s First Selectman.” He added, “I will continue to lead by example, as I have always done, insisting that legal counsel opine on all matters that involve the actions of our elected officials. That is the oath that I’ve taken and I will remain steadfast in my pledge to maintain the highest legal, moral, and ethical standards, while ceasing to ever partake in the mudslinging and rhetoric that I’ve been a constant target of over the past 20 months.”
Kennelly said his clients had not yet decided if they will appeal the court’s decision. The plaintiffs have up to 10 days after the ruling to file an appeal.
Jean Jacquier was nominated to run for Town Clerk by the DTC. Per the court ruling, Jacquier will not appear as a Democrat candidate on the 2025 ballot.
The Republican nominee for Town Clerk is Krysti Segalla.
Marilisa Camardi, part-time Assistant Town Clerk, is not running for office.
Carol Overby was nominated to run for Board of Finance by the DTC. Per the court ruling, Overby will not appear as a Democrat candidate on the 2025 ballot.
The other Democrat nominee for Board of Finance in 2025 is Emily Bottum.
The Republican nominee for Board of Finance is John Jacquier.
First Selectman Brian Ohler (R) is running for his second term.
Selectman Jesse Bunce was endorsed by the DTC to run for First Selectman in 2025.
In Connecticut, individuals can run as write-in candidates by registering with the SOTS office. The deadline to register as a write-in candidate for the 2025 municipal election is Monday, Oct. 6, at 4 p.m.
Top row, left to right, Caroline Kinsolving, Christopher McLinden, Dana Domenick, Reid Sinclair and Director Hunter Foster. Bottom row, left to right, Will Nash Broyles, Dick Terhune, Sandy York and Ricky Oliver in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.”
Opening on Sept. 26, Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunit “The Mousetrap” brings suspense and intrigue to the Sharon Playhouse stage, as the theater wraps up its 2025 Mainstage Season with a bold new take on the world’s longest-running play.
Running from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5, “The Mousetrap” marks another milestone for the award-winning regional theater, bringing together an ensemble of exceptional local talent under the direction of Broadway’s Hunter Foster, who also directed last season’s production of “Rock of Ages." With a career that spans stage and screen, Foster brings a fresh and suspense-filled staging to Christie’s classic.
The Playhouse’s casting includes Dana Domenick of Falls Village who leads the cast as Mollie Ralston, the newlywed innkeeper with a secret. Reid Sinclair of Norfolk plays Giles, her husband and partner in hospitality — and maybe in something more sinister. Will Nash Broyles from Lakeville plays the eccentric and enigmatic Christopher Wren, and Sandy York of Sharon will play the role of the imperious Mrs. Boyle. Dick Terhune (Litchfield), Caroline Kinsolving (Salisbury), Ricky Oliver (Pawling), and Christopher McLinden (also Lakeville) round out the cast as the play’s increasingly suspicious guests — and one very determined detective.
As always, Sharon Playhouse has gathered a top-tier creative team to match its cast. The Swader brothers (Christopher and Justin) return with their signature scenic designs, while Kathleen DeAngelis’s costumes and Bobbie Zlotnik’s wigs promise to anchor us firmly in postwar England, even as the plot spirals into timeless psychological suspense. Lighting by Wheeler Moon and sound design by Graham Stone will help turn the cozy theater into a stage crackling with tension.
If you’ve never seen “The Mousetrap,” here’s what you need to know: it’s the murder mystery that truly defined the genre. Premiering in London’s West End in 1952 and still running strong over 30,000 performances later, Christie’s ingenious puzzle unfolds in a snowbound manor house where everyone has something to hide, and no one is safe from suspicion. Its final twist is famously kept secret by audiences — a tradition of theatrical discretion that only deepens the sense of shared experience.
“The enduring success of ‘The Mousetrap’ lies in its suspense, yes, but also in its structure,” said the Playhouse’s Artistic Director Carl Andress. “It’s a masterclass in storytelling. And with Hunter Foster leading this incredible cast of local artists, we know our audiences are in for an evening of mystery, laughter, and yes, plenty of gasps.”
Tickets are available now at SharonPlayhouse.org.
Mary Beth Lawlor, publisher/editor-in-chief of Litchfield Magazine, and supporter of Plein Air Litchfield, left,and Michele Murelli, Director of Plein Air Litchfield and Art Tripping, right.
For six days this autumn, Litchfield will welcome 33 acclaimed painters for the second year of Plein Air Litchfield (PAL), an arts festival produced by Art Tripping, a Litchfield nonprofit.
The public is invited to watch the artists at work while enjoying the beauty of early fall. The new Belden House & Mews hotel at 31 North St. in Litchfield will host PAL this year.
From Sept. 30 through Oct. 5, artists chosen from 100 entries around the country — representing diverse origins as far flung as Punjab, Berlin, and Peru — will set up their easels and spend the week recording the landscape, farms, historic buildings, and even restaurant interiors throughout the town. Artists such as Thomas Adkins, Yili Haruni, Katushka Millones, and Zufar Bikbov will participate.
“The French term plein air means ‘out of doors,’ referring to the practice of painting entire finished pictures in the open air. The plein air approach was pioneered by John Constable in Britain in the early 19th century,” according to The Tate Gallery in London.
Thursday, Oct. 2, is “Paint the Historic District Day,” when artists make paintings of early buildings.
Norfolk artist Sam Guindon will give a painting demonstration in the meadow by Tapping Reeve Law School at 82 South St. at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Nicole Carpenter, curator of the Litchfield Historical Society, will present “Landscape Visions: Artistic Depictions of Litchfield,” exploring the role artists play in documenting regional history, at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Oliver Wolcott Library at 160 South St. The talk is free, and all are welcome.
The public is also invited to the historic firehouse at Belden House at 6 p.m. for a free art show of the works created that day.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Judge of Awards Eric Forstmann, a Litchfield County artist, will announce the winners at the Gala Art Show and Sale in the historic Firehouse property of Belden House & Mews, where all displayed artwork will be available for purchase.
Finally, on Sunday morning, Oct. 5,from 9 a.m. to noon, everyone is invited to a three-hour fun “Quick Paint” event. Open to artists of all levels, with additional prizes, the event will be held in the Tapping Reeve Meadow at 82 South St. Registration is from 8 to 9 a.m.
Art Tripping was founded in 2018 by Michele Murelli, whose mission is to create community art events and show how art enhances quality of life. Murelli and her team of volunteers have organized Plein Air Litchfield, 2025.
Visit the PAL website, www.pleinairlitchfield.com for information and to purchase tickets to the Gala Art Show and Sale.