BEEKMAN – Henry Rough died of natural causes on Sunday, January 17, 2016 peacefully at home attended by his son Tom, daughter-in-law Sylviane, and grandson Ian. He was 92.
Born in the Bronx in 1923 to Harry and Elizabeth Rough, Henry grew up in Forestburgh, Sullivan County. He volunteered for service during World War II, serving in Brindisi, Italy with the Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic. After the war, Henry returned to finish high school while still wearing his Corporal uniform.
He and Laura E. Miller were married and directly moved out of Forestburgh, soon settling in the Town of Beekman to raise a family. Henry became a corrections officer for New York State in 1952, serving at Green Haven, Matteawan / Fishkill, and Downstate Correctional Facilities. He retired in 1983 after 31 years of service.
Henry was predeceased by Laura, his wife of 57 years, and is survived by his six children, Tom, Kevin, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Victor, and Helen; his daughters-in-law, Sylviane and Lina; his son-in-law, Saul; his grandchildren, Ian, Michelle, Matthew, Tara and John Pantalone, and Sarah; and his great-grandson, Benjamin. He was predeceased by his grandson, Max.
Henry was an accomplished mechanic, inveterate tinkerer, amateur hypnotist, master story-teller, bicycle fixer, and excellent all-around dad who encouraged his children to explore life and to experiment. “Life itself is an experiment” was his lifelong mantra, and as his parting message, Henry wished friends and family to know that “It was all good, very good indeed!”
His family would like to thank all of those who contributed to Henry’s care: Jen and Ashley and all of the wonderful staff at Vassar Brothers through the years, nurses Patty and Jeff and Dr. “K” at Community Primary Care, the steadfast men and women of the Beekman Rescue Squad, East Fishkill Police Department, Bob Braedy of the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.
Contributions in Henry’s memory can be made to the Beekman Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 568, Poughquag, NY 12570.
