Ronald “Ronny” Osofsky of Ronnybrook Farm Dairy has died. He was 81.
Born January 27, 1941 with a love for the farm and a desire to spend all of his time with animals, dairy farming was an easy choice for Ronny, according to his obituary. His parents, Helen and David raised Ronny and his three younger siblings on the home farm in Pine Plains, New York.
He graduated from Pine Plains Central School in 1958 and went on to the University of Rhode Island, where he studied Animal Science. After graduating in 1962, he returned home to farm and substitute teach at the high school.
He married Kathleen Freney in 1971. They welcomed three children, Jonathan, Carey, and Daniel. This is also when Ronny’s interest in high end dairy cattle genetics peaked. Investor cattle had become popular in the 1980s, which brought an influx of interest to dairy farms in the Hudson River Valley. It also allowed him to expand the scope of his business and passion for dairy farming, adding on farms, including a show herd at the old Eldridge farm and the purchase of the old Deleval Research Farm, now the location of Ronnybrook Farm Dairy.
Aside from his family, one of his proudest accomplishments was the breeding of the bull, Ronnybrook Prelude, who was one of most popular in the world and sired record breaking cattle across the globe, going on to become a great influencer of the Holstein breed through his progeny. While he loved the farm and the lifestyle it provided his family, he always thought there was a better way to dairy. As weekenders moved to the area and land prices were rising, he longed to ensure a sustainable business model for the farm. After becoming friends with their new neighbors from the city, the two couples, along with his youngest brother Sid and his former wife Joan spent evenings imagining and designing what ultimately became Ronnybrook Farm Dairy.
In 1991, at 50 years old, he helped launch a whole new business and began on-farm processing and direct retailing to customers through farmers’ markets and retail stores throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It started small, with a focus on milk in glass bottles for the local area, but grew into a major brand in the NYC market. Ronny always listened to customers, which is how their label expanded to include a full-line of cultured products, like yogurt and ice cream. Ultimately, his brother Rick and his children Kate and Peter returned to the dairy, The family and many long time employees have grown the business to new heights.
Ronny is survived by wife, Cathy; children Jonathan Osofsky, Carey (Brian) Alberg, Daniel (Jennifer) Osofsky; four grandchildren, Grace Alberg, Tatum, Jack and Ronan Osofsky; brothers Rick (Jean) Osofsky, Sid (Cindy) Osofsky; sister Freda (Osofsky) Sanderson; sister-in-laws Ann (Curtis) Simmons, Natalie (Zipp) Guernsey, and Joan Osofsky, along with many beloved nieces, nephews and their growing families.