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BORN
1935
DIED
2017
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William Herman Obituary
NEW PALTZ - William Frederick Herman Jr, or Bill to everyone that knew him, of New Paltz, NY, died on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Woodland Pond CCRC. He was 82. Born on July 3, 1935 in White Plains, NY, Bill attended Stepinac High School, then SUNY Farmingdale for Horticultural Studies and Landscape Design after serving in the US Army abroad in Europe from 1955-57.
In 1959, Bill married high school sweetheart Virginia 'Ginger' Gillronan, and together had 4 children: daughters Cindy and Debra, and sons Bill III and Chris.
Bill took on leadership roles beginning in high school, becoming an active community and business leader upon coming to Dutchess County in many area organizations and trade associations. He was recognized within his industry & by his peers as an outstanding award-winning landscape designer.
Nicknamed "Herman the Bushman", Bill started Herman's Nursery & Garden Center and Landscape Design Build Company in 1960. Employing hundreds of people over 5 decades and giving many a start to their career, Bill's employees became an expanded family. Retiring in 2013 after 53 years in business, Bill and the Nursery were especially remembered by generations of families for the animated Christmas Wonderland.
Bill gave generously to many non-profit organizations and associations of his community throughout his life. He loved to present flowers and winter greens to his wide network of beloved clients, family & friends.
His zest for living was evident in how much he loved to dance, entertain, & visit with friends and family. He was an avid skier, loved to ride horses and to travel. He used his Army years to reconnect with his family throughout Ireland & Germany, particularly with his Irish relatives on the hill in County Mayo, Ireland where he returned many times over.
Bill loved his family dearly and is survived by wife Ginger; daughters Cindy & fiance Kenny Savino of High Falls, NY, and Debra of Santa Barbara, CA; son Bill of Charleston, SC; and son Chris & partner Angela Dumadag of New York, NY, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews here and abroad.
Visiting hours will be held at William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home at 371 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie, NY on Friday August 4, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00pm and from 6:00 to 8:00pm, and on Saturday August 5, 2017 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. A memorial service will also take place at William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research by supporting "Trailblazers for Bill" in running the 2017 NYC Marathon at https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/2017-TCS-NYC-Marathon/TrailblazersForBill If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Herman
Sponsored by William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home, Inc..
Michelle Seksinsky-Crst
December 21, 2017
I was saddened to hear of the loss of Bill Herman. I worked for his family when I was a teenager. May the memories of him find peace to his family during this holiday season. What a legacy he leaves behind. Thank you for the walk down memory lane.
John Reed
August 8, 2017
Ginger and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I remember Bill very well from various get togethers with our family back in the 60's and 70's. I haven't seen him in many, many years, but one thing I do remember is he was one of the most hard working, nicest and generous man I have ever met. I offer you my heartfelt condolences. May Bill rest in Peace. God Bless you and God Bless Bill.
A. Jackson
August 7, 2017
Sorry for the family's loss. When my oldest was a child, a Poughkeepsie Journal team member took a photo of her at Herman's Christmas display & featured it in the paper. She was just in absolute wonder at all of the magical scenes, and everyone was so sweet to her. We were sad when the place closed, & hope that through the years the family continued to bring each other the same joyous, special little memories that were given to so many of us within the community through the years.
Claire Hirst Griggs
August 6, 2017
Chris and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Heaven has a new angel. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Claire Hirst Griggs
Lisa Miller
August 5, 2017
So very sorry for your loss.
August 5, 2017
Cindy & family,
I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a wonderful and kind man. My thoughts are with you.
Jil (Wally) Tryon
Ann Aronowitz Potthast
August 5, 2017
I loved the Winter Wonderland while growing up in Pleasant Valley. Condolences to the entire Herman family and especially Cindy.
August 4, 2017
Nancy and I offer our condolences to the Herman Family for your loss. Your loss is also our loss. Bill was a great man and wonderful person to be around. We fondly remember him showing up at our home at odd hours, mostly during the holidays, with a poinsettia or some other type of flower arrangement. Welcoming him, we would sit at the table drinking a glass or two of wine.... talking late into the night (sorry Ginger for keeping him out late).
Bill, as I sit here typing this, I want you to know that we will miss you and I would give anything for the door bell to ring and find you standing at our door one more time....for one more glass of wine.
Nancy and John Noonan (Major NYSP retired)
August 4, 2017
We are so sorry for your loss. Some of our best memories are from when we worked for Bill at the nursery.
With our sincerest condolences,
Doug Rogers and Lorraine Bono
Vincent Arata
August 4, 2017
To the Herman family sorry for your loss. It was so kind of Bill to insist that the life size nativity set from your Christmas display should somehow be preserved so that everyone could continue to enjoy it for years to come. Bill gave it to a talented artist who restored it to its original condition. The Arata & Wajda family's purchased it a few years ago and it is now displayed during the Christmas season out side at Our Lady of the Rosary church on the grounds of the Hudson River State Hospital off Rt 9g. Thanks for the memories.
August 4, 2017
so many wonderful memories at Christmas time, thank you for providing so much fun for people, may Mr. Herman rest in peace. we will never forget him
Patricia Mathis
August 4, 2017
I have so many wonderful memories of Herman's Christmas wonderland, God Bless your family.
Edward Farley
August 4, 2017
To the Herman family and friends our sincere condolences on your loss.Mr. Herman thank you for making my childhood Christmas times so special by sharing your yearly displays at Herman's those special moments are ingrained in my memories forever and my Mom was especially fond of your Christmas displays and made it a yearly pilgrimage for our whole family.
Gods Speed William
Colleen Lambert
August 4, 2017
Dear Mr. Herman, although I did not know you personally, you are very important to me ... because of you, I have many fond memories to look back on. Going to Herman's at Christmas time was "tradition" for my family. I still have pictures of us among the Christmas trees. Rest in Peace and thank you for all that you did, it sounds like you had a very wonderful life. God Bless you and your family. xo
Terri Cuoghi
August 3, 2017
I am so sorry for your lose. Just today I found a video of the Herman's Christmas.I went every year before and after my kids were born. He was a very kind hearted person.Terri
August 3, 2017
We were tenants of Bill & Ginger's.
Mr. Herman always gave us a planter of greens for our apartment during the holidays. Truly a great person, so very sorry for your loss.
Mark & Maureen Squier
Larry Reed
August 3, 2017
Ginger and Family, So sorry to hear about Bill's passing. What a wonderful, kind hearted person he was. I have many fond memories of parties at your house and at my dads and Nick Freisizer's house. I will never forget how kind he was to my mom and us when my dad left in the fall of 1967. My mother was a wreck on our first Christmas on our own. Bill came over on Christmas Eve that year with a beautiful Angel figure holding a plug in candle. It made that Christmas sooo much better for her and she never forgot it until the day she passed. We still out it on our mantle every holiday season. A great person and true gentleman who will be sorely missed. my sincere condolences, Larry Reed
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