Obituaries

Howard Meinke memorial set

Howard Meinke of Laurel, shown in a headshot that appeared with his guest columns in The Suffolk Times, died Thursday night.
Howard Meinke of Laurel, shown in a headshot that appeared with his guest columns in The Suffolk Times, died Thursday night.

A memorial service for Howard Meinke of Laurel will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Mattituck Yacht Club.

Mr. Meinke — a former president of the North Fork Environmental Council, a great-grandfather and frequent contributor to The Suffolk Times and Riverhead News-Review opinion sections — was killed while crossing Route 48 after attending a fundraiser at the Soundview Restaurant Thursday night with family.

He was 86.

Mr. Meinke was born in Rockville Centre to Howard and Martha Meinke. He served in the U.S. Army between 1950 and 1952. Mr. Meinke also worked as a building contractor at Meinke Associates in Trumball, Conn.

He served as commodore of the Mattituck Yacht Club and was a president of the Connecticut State Home Builders Association. The environmental advocate’s hobbies also included sailing, golfing, tennis and skiing.

He is survived by his wife Margaret (nee Van Winkle); children Jeffrey Meinke, Nancy Morrell and Janice Dunbar; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Those who would like to celebrate his life are encouraged to attend Saturday’s memorial. Please send donations to North Fork Environmental Council or New Suffolk Water Front Fund.

A private cremation was handled by Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.