Daniel Crosby de Menocal Jr., 72, a longtime resident of Bedford, died of a heart attack Dec. 5, at his vacation home on Nantucket, Mass.
He was born in New York City to Grace (Gay) and Daniel Crosby de Menocal Sr. on April 3, 1952, and was raised in Rye.
He married Linda Kathryn Simons on May 4, 1985, in Lawrence, Kansas.
He graduated from Darrow School in New Lebanon, N.Y. and Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, later getting his graduate degree in finance from Fordham University.
He retired from BNY Mellon Capital Markets in 2015 as a managing director, and the head of public finance and equity capital markets. He worked for the Bank of New York Mellon Corp. for 35 years. His colleagues say he was beloved by clients for his intelligence, dedication and humor, and always had an open door to help any colleague solve a problem. In the early 2000s he pioneered an equity offering which is a cost-effective way for firms to raise capital in the markets and is now a standard for the industry.
He was well known in Bedford as the former senior warden at St. Matthew’s Church, active in many facets such as ushering on Sunday, and the property commission. He was also a member and past president of the Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club, a member of the Westchester Community Foundation, and a Bedford Youth Soccer coach.
Skip Beitzel, of Hickory & Tweed in Armonk, said he first got to know Dan over 20 years ago when they worked together to support the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester.
“We did some financing with his counsel and advice, and he was a huge help,” said Beitzel. “I am still in shock that we lost Dan. He was a gentleman among gentlemen — one heck of a human being.”
In a letter to parishioners the morning after his passing, the Rev. John Zahl, rector of St. Matthew’s, said, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to share the news that Dan de Menocal died yesterday in his beloved home on Nantucket with Linda by his side.”
Zahl said Dan loved St. Matthew’s and Bedford deeply.
“Up until five years ago, Dan served as senior warden of St. Matthew’s (which he did for eight years). It was a role that he cherished. He was the one who telephoned me with the wonderful news that I had been called as St. Matthew’s 13th rector.”
Calling him “the consummate gentleman,” Zahl said, “Dan had a way of putting you at ease while still offering his opinions on how the church should best be run. He cared especially about St. Matthew’s beloved property and buildings, and he and Linda are responsible for the construction of our precious Children’s Chapel.”
Said Zahl, “He championed thoughtful, measured leadership with long-term goals in awould take us well into the future, and not just a few years down the line. He knew our role in Bedford to be vital, and rightly wanted that vitality to hold fast for future generations.”
“Dan also had a great sense of humor,” said Zahl. “He loved to laugh and to make other people laugh. At my institution as rector, Dan presented me not only with keys to the parish, but also with his daughter’s lime-green ‘moon boots’ snowshoes, leftovers from the 1980s. They subsequently became a staple in my daughter’s winter wardrobe.”
Zahl recalled that when a parishioner recently asked if there was any chance that Dan could usher at her husband’s funeral, “Dan offered three words without hesitation: ‘I’ll be there.’ He was the perfect archetype of an usher, big smile, easy going, and knowledgeable. Dan taught me how to lead with dignity and grace, and I will deeply miss his wise counsel and encouragement.”
He said he would never forget Linda’s introductory words about working with her husband. “She said, ‘He’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet.’ Who could better render a true verdict of the man?”
He was predeceased by his parents. Besides his wife, Linda, he is survived by his brothers, George de Menocal of New Canaan, Conn., and Peter de Menocal of Woods Hole, Mass.; his children, Emily de Menocal Dixon (Stefan), Daniel “Crosby» de Menocal III (Courtney), and Jane Brookings de Menocal; and one grandchild.
Service details have not yet been finalized.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Matthew›s Church, Bedford, at stmatthewsbedford.org.