Daniel R. Gernatt Sr. (February 7, 1917 – May 5, 2014) was an American entrepreneur, businessman, horseman, and dairy farmer in Collins, New York.
Gernatt and his wife Flavia began a farming enterprise, Dan Gernatt Farms, that included raising dairy cows and later breeding and racing Standardbred horses. Beginning in the 1940s, they began marketing sand and gravel from their property, leading to their establishment and ownership of several mining businesses, now known as the Gernatt Family of Companies.
Gernatt started a charitable foundation, and was a donor and supporter of St. Joseph Parish in Gowanda, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. He was recognized with awards for his contributions and service.
Background and early life
Gernatt was born and raised in Collins, New York, and lived there his entire life.[1] He was one of 10 children born to John and Martha Gernatt, who were German and Austrian immigrants.[1][2][3] He was raised on a farm, and for a 4-H project he successfully raised and sold turkeys at the age of 17.[1][4] He was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Gowanda, New York, and attended the school there for several years.[5]
Gernatt married Flavia C. Schmitz in 1938, and they began Dan Gernatt Dairy Farms in 1938.[5][6] In the 1950s, the couple was identified as having the largest milking dairy herd in Erie County.[1][5][6][7] As the Gernatts' farming business expanded, it was later simply known as Dan Gernatt Farms.[8][9] In the 1960s, the Gernatt's transitioned their dairy farming business to one of breeding and racing Standardbred horses. The Gernatts established themselves in horse breeding and harness racing throughout a period of three decades.[10][11] The horse business raised and sold more than 1,000 horses.[1] Among the Gernatts' harness racing horses were those that were bred on their farm, identified by the presence of the last name 'Collins', the town's name.[1]
Gernatt with parishioners at St. Joseph Church, 2006
In 1987, Gernatt and his wife established the Daniel and Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation, which provides grants and loans mostly in the areas of education, healthcare, Christian-related endeavors,[18] and poverty and homeless relief.[19][20]
In 1995 it helped the Amish Valley View Cheese Cooperative Association in Conewango, New York reopen the 35-year-old cheese plant there, which had been closed for two years.[21][22]
In 2004, the family's foundation and companies donated $150,000 to TLC Health Network's $1 million campaign to make renovations to and update diagnostic imaging equipment at hospitals in Gowanda and Irving, New York.[27] The donation was identified as a "jump start" to the health network's capital campaign drive.[27]
Recognition
In 2001, Gernatt received the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award.[28] In 2007 he received the Bishop's Medal from the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.[5][29]
Personal life
Gernatt has a son, Daniel Jr., and two daughters, Patricia Rebmann and Phyllis Ulmer.[1][2] Gernatt died in 2014 following a short illness.[1]
^ abcdef"Bishop's Medal recipient: Daniel R. Gernatt Sr.," Celebrate Catholic education dinner 2007, Buffalo, NY: Diocese of Buffalo, 2007.
^ abFlavia C. Gernatt, businesswoman, Buffalo News - City Edition, Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, 29 November 1995, Retrieved 2 November 2013.
^"New York Holstein-Friesian News, Volumes 8-9". New York Holstein-Freisen World, Inc./Cornell University. 1953. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
^Mining permits issued during 2003Archived 2013-09-25 at the Wayback Machine, Twentieth Annual Report, Albany, NY: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Department of Mineral Resources, 2004, Retrieved 19 June 2014.
^Daniel R. Gernatt Sr., Observer, Dunkirk, NY: John D'Agostino, 7 May 2014, Retrieved 18 June 2014.
^Flavia C. Gernatt, businesswoman, Highbeam.com, Cengage Learning, from the original: Buffalo News, 29 November 1995, Retrieved 21 June 2014.
