Joseph Jordan Berenis

Beloved to everyone who crossed his path, Joseph Jordan Berenis, 75, of Rhinebeck, NY, passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, from a sudden brain hemorrhage.

Born on July 28, 1946, in Brooklyn, NY, Joe was the son of the late Walter and Rose (Siggilino) Berenis. He married his soulmate, Karen Jordan on May 4, 1991, in Woodstock, NY.

Joe graduated with a degree in marine engineering from New York State Maritime College. Joe was involved in counterculture movements, and ultimately turned his back on engineering. He joined Family of Woodstock in 1980, serving as a counselor, Program Director, and Executive Director, working with homeless and at-risk youth and young adults for nearly 30 years.

Joe and Karen relocated to Santa Fe, NM, where he was hired as Executive Director of the Interfaith Community Shelter for seven years. His innovative approach to programming, services, and community relations has become a model for agencies worldwide. The mayor of Santa Fe declared April 30, 2021 “Joseph Jordan Berenis Day” to honor his service. Joe’s unwavering spiritual practices enabled him to stay centered in his commitment to social change.

He is survived by his loving family: his spouse, Karen Jordan of Rhinebeck, NY; his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Abrah and Keith Zaltzberg-Drezdahl of High Falls, NY; his brother, Robert Berenis of Saratoga Springs, NY, along with extended family, numerous friends, and colleagues.

At 4pm EDT on Tuesday, November 2, at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock, NY, there will be a Memorial Service (hybrid in-person and virtual options).
Please visit Joe’s webpage to read the FULL LENGTH OBITUARY and find Memorial Service info at www.burnett-white.com. RSVP there for the service and to find the zoom link for virtual attendance.

Donations may be made in Joseph’s memory to support with medical expenses at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-joes-passing.

Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher

Related Posts

Next Post

Weather

Kingston, NY
50°
Sunny
6:42 am7:18 pm EDT
Feels like: 45°F
Wind: 14mph NNW
Humidity: 31%
Pressure: 29.74"Hg
UV index: 4
SatSunMon
57°F / 37°F
57°F / 36°F
50°F / 39°F

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.