Frank R. Basel Jr.

Walker Valley

Frank R. Basel Jr., 92, of Walker Valley, NY, passed away on July 9, 2026. Frank was born on March 23, 1934, in Middletown, NY, to Frank Basel Sr. and Mildred Wagneaux Basel. He was raised in Walker Valley, NY, on Basel’s Dairy Farm. As a young boy, he began his selfless dedication to his neighbors and community when he became a Boy Scout. He joined the Navy in 1954 and served on board the USS Intrepid and USS Layette as a Machinist’s Mate. After leaving the Navy, he returned home to work on the family farm. He met the love of his life, Deanna Hennig, and they were married on December 28, 1958. Frank served as a New York State Corrections Officer for 30 years, retiring as a Sergeant.

One of the things he was most proud of was the 64 years he spent as a volunteer fireman. He started as a Pine Bush fireman and later transferred to Walker Valley when he moved his family into the house they built on Basel Road, where he resided until the day of his passing. During his time with the fire company, he held many roles, including Assistant Chief and Captain of the Fire Police. He only recently stepped down from answering fire calls. His knowledge of the local area proved invaluable in helping locate lost hunters and hikers over the years. He received many awards and accolades throughout his 64 years of selfless service to others. Frank will always be remembered for his love of gardening and the roadside free vegetable table he shared every year. He was also an avid woodworker who built furniture and dollhouses, many of which he donated to local charities. His other volunteer activities included spending time in the gardens at the Orange County Arboretum and at the Orange County Farmers’ Museum. He was also the photographer for the local Civil War historical group.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Deanna Hennig Basel; his parents, Frank G. and Mildred Basel; and his sister, Deanna Basel Fowler, and her husband, Fred. He is survived by his three children: Eric Basel of Surry, VA; Gretchen Basel Breland and her husband, Terry, of Gulfport, MS; and Andrew Basel and Laura Stangel of Middletown, NY. He is also survived by two grandsons, Brandon Breland and his wife, Laura, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Matthew Breland and his wife, Julianna, of Gulfport, MS; one great-granddaughter, Ila Mae Breland of Gulfport, MS; and numerous nieces and their families.

The family would like to thank the staff at Montgomery Nursing Home for the professional care they gave to our father during the last weeks of his life. Words cannot express how much their kindness and genuine compassion made our dad’s transition much less difficult to bear.

Graveside services will be held at Walker Valley Cemetery on Sunday July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Walker Valley Fire Company.