Obituary of Gerhard B. Henke

Gerhard B. Henke passed away on a brilliant fall day this past Saturday, October 21. He was born in a provincial little town in Lorrach, Germany and as life would have it made his way halfway across the world to a provincial little town in Grahamsville, NY. It was his little slice of heaven to reside on Cornelia Lane in the Catskills which so often reminded him of his childhood home in Germany. For those of you who don't know, he immigrated with the love of his life, Lore Henke in 1956 and began a new adventure with her in a new land. As with most immigrants they forged ahead with nary a dollar to their name and eventually built a life that included raising a family and settling down in our bucolic area. He learned new trades in New York and worked as a draftsman and then years later a sight inspector on such projects as the Trenton State Prison, Pan American airport, the arch of St. Louis, Projects in South Africa and the Museum of Fine Art in New York City to name a few. After the death of his favorite daughter, he and Lore decided to throw caution to the wind and reopen the Blue Hill Lodge in Claryville, NY. Upon retirement, he immersed himself in traveling with Lore, writing and self-publishing a number of nonfiction rants as well as a science fiction book. He especially loved philosophy, science and mathematics and owns numerous books that he read and reflected on to help him live within his own reality. He had a larger than life personality and like many people we know or have known, had the courage to express his viewpoints. Although this usually ended up with him in hot water! He is survived by his cat, Schnitzel as well as his daughters Evelyn Skidmore and her husband Garry and Shirley Currey and her husband Hank. He is also survived by his five grandchildren. His granddaughters: Alyssa and Gabrielle Skidmore, whom he adored and who always took pains to make him smile, laugh and feel loved. His grandsons: Hank Currey II and his wife Lori, Glen Currey and his partner, Courtney Van Norden and Weston Currey and his partner Molly Brunelle whom also brought him joy and laughter. He is survived by his sister, Elly Hermann, whom he holds a special place in his heart, in Germany, his niece, Sabine and her son Patrick along with several other family members; grand nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers in-laws scattered around the US and Germany. He is predeceased by his wife Eleonore Henke and his daughter, Connie Henke. We hold in our hearts the hope that they embraced him on his last journey. So, Kindly raise a glass in toast and remembrance, tell stories and laugh as you are wont to do anyway and celebrate his life! As his greatest joy would be to not be forgotten and to share the brilliance that he brought to this earth. A grave side service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 11 AM at Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, 57 Main Street Grahamsville NY 12740. Arrangements were made with Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information please visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or call (845) 434-7363.