Obituary of Henry Wilfred Katz

Boynton Beach, FL - Formerly of Liberty, NY

Henry Katz passed away on November 10, 2023, in Boca Raton, Florida, at the age of 86.

Henry grew up in Liberty, NY, the son of Anne and Morris Katz. Henry graduated from Liberty High School and received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Northwestern University.   

Henry met the love of his life, Sandy, through her brother Fred, with whom Henry served in the military. During a weekend pass from the Army, Henry and Sandy went on their first date. They were married for 60 years.

After they were married, they settled in Liberty where Henry began running, Katz’s Bake Shop, the family business. Over the next 40 years, Henry built Katz’s Bake Shop into a fixture in the Catskill Mountains, selling his famous baked goods to most of the resort hotels, restaurants, camps, and bungalow colonies throughout the area. After four decades, Henry and Sandy moved to White Plains, NY to start the next chapter of their lives. It was then that Henry developed a second career as a consultant and trusted advisor to some of New York City’s most well known restaurants. After moving to Florida ten years ago, Henry continued to provide counsel to restaurants and food service businesses throughout the country and was often recognized for his innovative and creative approach to developing new culinary concepts. He was very proud of his connection to and long history with the Catskills.

In addition to a busy professional career, Henry loved his family, particularly his grandchildren, with whom he tried to see and talk with as frequently as possible. Henry was an avid reader, fisherman, and he and Sandy and their friends traveled the world, always looking to explore the unexplored.

Henry is predeceased by his wife Sandy and survived by their children, Allyson Schlesinger (Jarrod) of Chappaqua, NY, David Katz (Sheri) of Westport, CT, and Steven Katz (Barbara) of Phoenix, AZ, as well as six grandchildren, Amanda and Drew Schlesinger, Adam, Evan, Rebekah, and Josh Katz.

Interment will take place at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Congregation Ahavath Israel Cemetery, Hysana Road, Liberty, NY. A memorial service will take place also on Thursday, November 16 at 3:00pm. at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, 418 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY, 10570.

Arrangements are honorably entrusted to the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home - 845-794-7474 or www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com