Daniel Menocal Obituary

Daniel Crosby de Menocal, Jr., 72, a longtime resident of Bedford, NY and Nantucket, Mass. died on December 5th at his home on Nantucket.

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, NY.

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 after 35 years from BNY Mellon Capital Markets in 2015 as a Managing Director and Head of Public Finance and Equity Capital Markets. He was beloved by all his colleagues and clients for his intelligence, dedication, and humor. He always had an open door to help any colleague solve a problem. In the early 2000's he pioneered the "At The Market" (ATM) 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 Sundays and leading the Property Commission. He also gave his time and leadership on a variety of other boards including the Westchester Community Foundation, The Bedford Village Chowder and Marching Club, the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, the Parents Advisory Council of the College of Charleston, and coaching Bedford Youth Soccer.

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 a 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 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 that would 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 the keys to the parish, but also with his daughter's lime-green "moon boots" snowshoes, leftovers from the 1980's. 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 Nantucket, Mass, and Peter de Menocal of Woods Hole and Rowe, Mass., his children Emily de Menocal Dixon and her husband Stefan of Bethesda, MD, Daniel "Crosby" de Menocal III and his wife Courtney of Shawnee, KS, and Jane Brookings de Menocal of Lenexa, KS. Dan welcomed his first grandchild this year, Eloise Collins Dixon.

Services will be held at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Bedford, NY on January 11th at 11:00 am.