by Thaddeus Flint
A December 12 barn fire has claimed the life of New Lebanon businessman Keith Meissner.
Meissner, age 60, was reportedly attempting to save several horses trapped in the burning barn located on his residence in West Sand Lake.
Four horses also died in the fire.
Approximately 15 fire departments responded to the blaze, which started at around 7:50 pm.
[private]According to Yvonne Keefe of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, the “cause of the fire is still under investigation due to the extensive damage to the barn.”
Meissner was the co-owner of the popular auction house, Meissner’s Auction Service, in New Lebanon since 1988. Max Gitter, of the New Lebanon
Economic Development Committee, said, “He [Meissner] was a good friend to and supporter of the Town of New Lebanon generally – and to its economic development and its heritage in particular.”
“His auction house has long been a mainstay of the economic scene in town. Last Summer, he and Dolores graciously offered a popular behind the scenes tour of the auction house and planned to do so again next Spring,” added Gitter.
Recently Meissner had been thanked for his help in the successful opening of the new Heritage Center by the New Lebanon Historical Society.
“He loaned us his portable PA system (on a day when an auction was scheduled for the evening, no less), and he was in the midst of trying to identify and locate suitable artifacts and pieces that could be loaned longer term for display at the Center,” said Gitter. “He will be sorely missed.”
“It’s a terrible loss,” agreed New Lebanon Town Supervisor Mike Benson, “for his family, his friends, the business community and of course New Lebanon. It is just a terrible tragedy and a reminder of how precious life and family are.”
Funeral services were held Wednesday in West Sand Lake.
Contributions may be made in memory of Keith R. Meissner Sr. to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson, NY, 12534.[/private]