Shortly after meeting my wife to be 25 years ago I began to help her dad in the woods. He had 2 cable skidders a triaxle self loader and a tractor trailer. His shoulders were getting bad and I could do the work. His son and I would go every weekend and try to get enough wood out so he could haul for the week. That lasted about two years until he gave up and just went to trucking. 8 years ago he had an abdominal aortic aneurism rupture while bush hogging fields. Pure luck someone drove by and 90 miles from the closest hospital that could do anything and 7 times reviving him he somehow survived. Today after 20 days of fighting a cancer that was spreading faster than the tests could come back he asked to be taken off support. Within 3 hours he passed. Many thanks to the man who helped make me what I am today and the beautiful daughter that you gave up to me. In northern Maine there is a small song bird the woodcutters refer to as "an old woodsman". I will know when I see you again my friend. Just something everyone should think about. Life is short, make the best of it. Remember family and take care of them. The sun will come up tomorrow but the shadows will be different. The rides over, rest well Lowell.
May he rest in peace, tree killer..... It seems, as you say, that you are a better man for knowing him, and my heart is heavy for you and yours. Thank you for sharing this, your (& your wife's) loss will not go unnoticed here- Take time for y'all's grieving, a necessary step, and then continue making Lowell proud! We're here for ya too, man! Respectfully, Eric Van Wickler
Very sorry for your loss tree killer ... it sounds like he was a hard worker and great father in law.
So very sorry to hear about your loss tree killer. Praying for peace for you and your family. We are here if you need us Tim
So sorry to hear of your father in laws passing. I am certain that his spirit will live on within you and you will pass it onto all that you know and love.
Sorry for your loss - prayers sent your way. A good reminder to appreciate friends and family and the time we've got with them.
Your life has been enriched by you family. Share that knowledge as it was shared with you and he lives on as he would have it. Prayers for you and your family. Larry
I can relate tree killer. My FIL died 2 years ago and it hurt. I also owe a lot of what I have to him and his generosity. Take it easy.
Thank you all. I started watching this place a while ago now. All seems like a bunch of good people. I'm fortunate enough to have a large wood lot to maintain, thanks to my FIL. It was in his family since the early 1800's. I go and cut what I need as well as the in laws wood every year. Still have the same 540 Deere I was running 25 years ago for him. The 640 and both trucks went years ago. He always talked about when he first started in the woods. A team of horses and an old international farm truck. Was high class when he bought a crawler tractor in 1960. That old crawler was given to his brothers son when his brother passed in the late 80's. Restored and running to this day. I sat a while with him yesterday. His only request was to take care of Gus, the last horse he had. We buried Gus on the old farm in 1998, the year I married my wife. He was a good horse and his grave was taken better care of than his own lawn. Each year I go with a bunch of friends to a place about an hour from his house bird hunting. We spend a week there and dad would always swing in just to get away from the house. Always had a tip of the Black Velvet, same bottle still in the camp for 10 years now. I've spoken to a couple of the guys today, we might just head up and finish that bottle for the 4th.
