Flavia C. Gernatt (April 2, 1921 – November 27, 1995) (née Flavia C. Schmitz) was an American businesswoman, horsewoman, and dairy farmer in Collins, New York. With her husband Daniel R. Gernatt Sr., she was co-owner of Dan Gernatt Farms, and co-founder of Dan Gernatt Gravel Products, which was the beginning of the Gernatt Family of Companies.
Career
Dan Gernatt Farms
Dairy farming In 1938 Flavia married Daniel R. Gernatt Sr., and in Collins, New York, the two began a dairy farming enterprise, Dan Gernatt Farms, which in the 1950s was the largest in Erie County.
Horse breeding and harness racing
Gernatt partnered with her husband in breeding and racing Standardbred horses, beginning in 1960.
Gernatt Family of Companies With her husband, Gernatt cofounded Dan Gernatt Gravel Products, headquartered in Collins, New York, after World War II. She served as vice president and secretary of the company; was secretary of Gernatt Asphalt Products and Country Side Sand and Gravel; and was a director of each of those companies. The companies are part of the Gernatt Family of Companies.Gernatt Family of Companies
In 2005 a 225-acre man-made lake was created on Countryside Sand and Gravel land, named Lake Flavia. A portion of the lake is open to public fishing.
Philanthropy In 1988, Gernatt and her husband established the Daniel and Flavia Gernatt Family Foundation, a charity which provides financial assistance to organizations and entities in Western New York, mostly in the areas of education, healthcare, Christian-related endeavors, and to those in need or who are homeless. In 1992 Gernatt and her husband donated the construction of a new rectory to St. Joseph Parish in Gowanda, where they were active members and benefactors, and where Flavia was a lay eucharistic minister.2003 St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Eden Prairie, MN: Olan Mills Church Directories, January 2004.
Background and personal life Gernatt was born on April 2, 1921, in Langford, New York. She had a son, Daniel R. Gernatt Jr., who is the chief executive officer of the Gernatt Family of Companies;Buffalo Business First: People on the Move, Buffalo Business First, Buffalo, NY, 23 February 2009 | Accessdate= 29 November 2013. and two daughters Gernatt died in 1995 following a six-month illness.
References