Archie B. Deane, Jr., died on Jan. 14, at The Meadows at Brookmeade in Rhinebeck. He was 89.
Deane was the son of Archie and Pauline Finkle Dean and was born on Aug. 9, 1934 in Sharon, Conn.
He attended Cornell University and was a farmer most of his life. He visited farms throughout Dutchess and Columbia Counties as an artificial inseminator. He also showed cattle at 4-H events and enjoyed participating in tractor pulls
After retiring from farming, he worked at the Wassaic Developmental Center. There he reopened their greenhouse and, along with some helpers, produced a large variety of houseplants and vegetables for the community. With his love and knowledge of flowers he became a full-service florist, owning and operating the Flower Basket, in Red Hook, which had a branch in Pine Plains as well.
Deane and his wife, Helen, moved to Florida upon his retirement.
He is survived by his children, David (Carol) Deane and Audrey (Keven) Kemp, both of Pine Plains; his grandchildren, Josh, Tina, Deidre, Jessica, Eric, Ryan and Sean; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Joan and Cathy; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His wife, Helen, and a son, Archie Deane III, died before him.
Services will take place in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery in Pine Plains.