Cobleskill- Loren J. Guernsey, 83, of Ecker Hollow Road, died Thursday, January 1, 2009, at Cobleskill Regional Hospital.
Loren was born May 11, 1925 in East Cobleskill on the family farm, and was the son of Grover and Dorothy (Rickard) Guernsey.
He was a lifelong area resident, graduating from Cobleskill Central School in 1942. Loren continued operating the family dairy farm, known as Highland Grove Farm. He served as past president of the Schoharie County Holstein Club, was a member of the National Holstein Association for seventy-five years, a member of the NY State Holstein Club, and exhibited Holsteins at the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair from 1937 until 1968. Loren was a founding member of Yo-Schoharo Riding Club, the Historical Treasures Building at the fairgrounds in Cobleskill, and the founder of the Punkin Holler Gang in 1952.
He was an active member of the Cobleskill Historical Society, and as an avid bowler, served as past president for the Schoharie County Bowling Assoc., along with participating in the senior bowling league at the Empire State Games. Loren was also an avid Celtic fan.
For twenty-six years he delivered registered cattle throughout the United States and Canada, covering over two and half million miles.
Along with is parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Gerald Guernsey.
Survivors include his wife, of sixty years, Ruth (Brown) Guernsey; three children: Alan Guernsey of Cocoa, FL, Beckie Lacroix of Middleburgh, and Kent Guernsey of Ocala, FL; 7 grandchildren: Warren Guernsey, Matt Sossei, Jessica Guernsey, Jenn Brown, Charlie Guernsey, Chase Guernsey, and Claudia Guernsey; 2 great-grandchildren: Kelsi and Madison Sossei; and a sister, Evelyn Walker of Los Gatos, CA.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 5, 2009 at the United Methodist Church Mineral Springs Road Cobleskill. Officiating will be Rev. Jared van Wagenen IV. Friends are also invited for a period of visitation from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, January 4, at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill. Spring interment will be in Bramanville-Prospect Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Marathon for a Better Life, P.O. Box 268, Warnerville, NY 12187, or Salvation Army Cobleskill Unit, care of Neil Stanton, 583 Barnerville Road Howes Cave, NY 12092.