MTFCA Forum

I was told today that Andy had passed?
Can this be true?
Ron Patterson

Yes, a few weeks ago sad to say. There was a thread on his passing.

We are losing entirely too many (one is one too many) hobbyists from our hobby. I can't remember when we have lost so many over such a short period of years. Of course we have COVID now, which we didn't have prior to mid 2019, and some people who have died, like Andy, died from illness brought on by work. I am glad I only stayed in firefighting for ten years, myself, or I might have found myself in his situation. With people like Stan Howe passing, it would be easy for me to say: "see a doctor regularly", but I learned this year that that isn't enough. My wife's son's
brother-in-law saw his cardiologist and a few days later dropped dead from an aortic tear with his wife present, on his wedding anniversary. So sometimes, seeing your doctor regularly isn't enough. I hope we haven't got any anti-vaccers in this group, but unless you have a medical reason why you can't get vaccinated, do yourself and those around you, a favor and do so. Contrary to what you may hear or read, the Pfizer and Mederna shots will not make you sterile or any of the other B.S. going around. If they were so deadly this 73 year old, diabetic, COPD, and heart patient would be dead right now, as I've had the first and second shot and the booster. and had no more than a inconsequential sore arm for a few hours. Despite running errands to the grocery store, drug store. restaurants, and more, I routinely test negative for COVID. I didn't mean for this to be a "rant". I just want everyone to do what they can to slow down the death rate in this hobby.

Wow! I have been away from the forum for a couple of months due to some health issues. I am truly saddened to hear of the loss of these wonderful Craftsmen and Mentors to our hobby in the not so distant past. I haven't dealt with some of them directly, but I have been in awe of their expertise and knowledge for many years. As I am getting older and not as "spry" as I used to be, I am starting to realize that I'm not going to get many things done that I thought I would by now. I sincerely hope that the younger generation can/will take up where the "Old Guys" left off. I know that there are several out there that have the expertise and resources to keep the hobby going and expanding. I've been hooked on these T"s since about 1955 or so when me and my best friend for 53 years (now passed in 2009) started listening to the "Old" guys talking about them. Now, We're the "Old" old guys, but still hooked!!

Michael, thank you for posting that link. A fitting tribute for a very helpful gentleman!
Terry, please don't demonize the "bad people" that choose not to as opposed to the "good people" that do get them.
I very much like your post and didn't consider it a rant at all except for one line written. I still respect your opinion tho.
And I'm pleased as punch you've had no effects from yours. Truly.
We all type things we could reword and I'm quite guilty of that here and on another forum for old tractors.
I'm just coming to terms with my own COPD and have been hypoglycemic (kind of opposite to a diabetic) for most of my life.
My family tree has diabetic's like my wife's. A grandpa was diabetic, a sister is also but my brother and I are hypoglycemic's.
Yet, by the grace of the "man"-upstairs, I still trudge on.
I remember Andy in a more positive way and perhaps later we can share lighter thoughts to bring back a smile.