03/09/2026
The absolute most common question we get is “Are you the DeConincks from Greece?!”
Short answer is no but it’s also kind of yes. It’s a story worth telling.
Around 1907 two brothers went home to Belgium after working two years as farmhands in Gates, NY. They brought back to the U.S. both of their parents and 8 siblings.
We’re going to call the parents the first generation of farmers, August and Amelia. They rented a farm in Gates and worked there along with the 10 children. As far as I know, they remained there for the entirety of their lives. As the older children reached adulthood they moved into Greece, several on Maiden Lane and several on Long Pond Road which had backed up to each other. These will be the second generation, our branch comes from Urban and Barbara DeConinck at 1006 Long Pond Road. They married in 1920, had two children, their son Howard DeConinck born in 1927 will be our third generation of farmers. He farmed on top of having an excavating business. He bought farms in Spencerport and in Hilton. Vintage Lane runs through a good portion of Howard’s home farm on Long Pond Road after it was taken by eminent domain. What is now roads, neighborhoods, funeral homes, churches was once Urban and Howard’s farmland and greenhouses. Howard’s son, Kevin Sr. and Grace are the fourth generation and they purchased and run the Spencerport farm. Brian falls in the fifth generation. We bought and run the farm in Hilton.
All generations grew cabbage along with several varieties of vegetables. Five generations of farming in Monroe County.
I see the passion building in our children, nieces, and nephews..but will there be land or even a chance for a sixth generation to continue? We don’t know.
Disclaimer: This is to the best of my knowledge, I have no information on their lives prior to immigrating to the United States.
