Another Great Sugar Maker Gone

[Maple Man 85]

With a heavy heart I have to say my mentor, friend and Grandpa passed this morning. Grandpa was a hard working man that loved the woods his family and sugaring. This was going to be the first year using tubing on high vac in our new sugarhouse and I was hoping he could see everything work. Grandpa now has the best view for the upcoming season. RIP Grandpa...:cry:

[Run Forest Run!]

My condolences Anthony. Have a bountiful season in his honour.

[Haynes Forest Products]

When the pain subsides you will become the mentor and love every story you share with others. Carry on.

[maple flats]

Sorry for your loss. It will take time to heal, but keep your fond memories of him forever in your mind.
While my father never made syrup after he moved away from the farm he grew up on, I started making it in his last year with us. I would have liked it very much if he had been able to see my sugarhouse just 1 year later, but he was looking down to see it then and that thought gave me some peace of mind.
Treasure the times you had with your grandpa and then resolve to be like him and mentor others as he did you. The cycle of life never ends.

[Maple Man 85]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. Grandpa had the opportunity to help with the blueprints on the sugarhouse and see it go up along with all the equipment move in. Most of my construction, electrical, plumbing, fabrication and mechanical skills came from him and he was very proud to see those skill put to good use even though he wasn't physically able to help. Grandpa's got the best seat in the house for the 2018 season and I'm dedicating this season to him.

[Snappyssweets]

May the sap flow in higher sugar quantity than ever in the past.
Its hard to lose our loved ones especially grandpas.
Soon you will pass all the knowledge on to other younger ones yourself.

[Russell Lampron]

Sorry to hear of your loss. My father who is 94 years young came down to my sugar house last night to share maple stories and drink some hot syrup. My grandpa died when I was a teenager but I'm sure that he would be proud if he were here to see my sugar house.

[TwoSaps2]

My grandpa talked of sugaring for 20 years that I can remember. We never did it. It wasn't until long after he passed that I "pulled the trigger", and started creating the most expensive syrup on the planet. I think of him often. Many fond memories.

[Maple Man 85]

I'd think he'd (grandpa) be impressed with what we've done. We are making the same great small batch quality syrup we had back in the woods but on a much larger scale and there's is no difference in the taste profile. I've had people ask me at trade shows if we RO our sap and we just say "try some and tell me what you think". The people that said they did we quickly asked what was different and then tactfully explained what they were tasting. Consumers in large are not educated in terms of what makes syrup taste different.

[Biz]

Condolences to your loss, Maple Man 85. I just lost my dad 2 weeks ago at age 92. He helped spark my interest in sugaring and built a sugarhouse for my cousin and I when I was a youngster. He and his brothers helped my grandfather sugar back in the 30's when they use wooden gathering tanks and buckets, which we resurrected and used in the 70's. Brings back fond memories, he was always very supportive of maple sugaring.

Dave

[MISugarDaddy]

I am certain that your grandpa passed away with a good feeling knowing that you and your wife were carrying on his tradition. My dad passed away after our first year sugaring and I am so thankful he had got to enjoy some of our syrup before he died. (FYI, he passed away long after he had eaten our syrup.) My prayers are with you and your family.
Gary

[spud]

Sorry for your loss Maple Man. May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time.

Spud

[Maple Man 85]

Thank you to everyone for your support, it is safe assumption that most of us here had an older male role model that got us hooked on sugaring. The best thing we can do is continue to carry on and teach the next generation!

[jimmygarison]

Ohh, Sorry for your loss Maple Man