WESTERLO — Daniel P. Brate Sr., a generous and enterprising man who loved his family and friends, died on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 at Community Hospice in St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. He was 92.

“He still had opinions and comments right down to the very end,” said his daughter, Regine Brate.

Mr. Brate was born on Aug. 15, 1923, to Elmer and Anne Brate in Reidsville, a Westerlo hamlet. He enlisted in and served in the United States Navy as a young man.

Mr. Brate and his wife, Jennie Mae (née Northrup), lived in Feura Bush for many years. He served on the consistory of the Jerusalem Reformed church, and in the Onesquethaw Fire Company.

Mr. Brate worked in trucking most of his life, and also operated the local grocery, Brate’s Superette.

“His greatest affections were for his late wife, Jennie Mae; his immediate and extended family; friends; work; his antique cars; and baseball,” said his family in a tribute. “All who knew him will miss his generous heart, his humor, and his unassuming, no nonsense approach to life.”

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Mr. Brate is survived by his daughter, Regine Brate, of Saratoga; his sons, Daniel Brate Jr., of Selkirk, Bruce Brate, of Westerlo, and Mark Brate, and his companion, Sherri Cronin, of Selkirk; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-step-grandchildren.  

His parents, Elmer and Anne Brate; his beloved wife, Jennie Mae Brate; his brothers, James Brate Sr. and August Brate Sr.; his sisters, Harriet Lyman and Catherine Smith; his nephew, Reed Brate; and his dear friend, Delores Geel, all died before him.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m., with prayer and music at 6 p.m., at Meyers Funeral Home, 741 Delaware Ave., Delmar. Prayer and burial will take place Thursday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Onesquethaw Cemetery, in Clarksville.

Special thanks, and memorial contributions, may be made to the Westerlo Rescue Squad (Ambulance Corp.,) Post Office Box 12, Westerlo, NY 12193 and St. Peter's Hospital, Community Care Hospice, 455 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.

— Jo E. Prout