The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: Burlkraft on December 25, 2013, 10:27:22 AM

Title: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: Burlkraft on December 25, 2013, 10:27:22 AM
Ahhh the Holiday season. A joyous and worshiping time. Today I say we pray for and say goodbye to my neighbor, great friend and one of the most honest people I've ever known. Gary "Westy" "Westyswoods" Westwood. He was Westy to all his friends and Westyswoods here on the forum. He never posted much but he read for hours. Then he took what he read and put it to work out in his 40 acre piece of heaven. Gary was a City of Madison Fire Fighter for many years. When he retired he went full bore into his farm. Managing his trees. Rebuilding trucks, woodworking and building the biggest woodsplitter for a Bobcat that I have ever seen. He then proceeded to bend the crap out of the biggest splitter for a Bobcat that I ever seen!! :'(  Two weeks later he shows up at my business with a BIGGER better splitter. He wanted us to make hydraulic hoses for it. He really never had a chance to bend this one, but given time....... :D
Gary battled bladder cancer for over a year. There were some hopeful times but he was a realist and knew what would happen and just wanted the most out of what was left. That time was cut short. His last days were spent in Hospice. Good Bye my friend. I'll always miss you. My life has been greatly fulfilled by knowing you. I'll see you on the other side.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: Jeff on December 25, 2013, 10:29:17 AM
http://host.madison.com/news/local/obituaries/westbrook-gary-d-westy/article_7737d587-57a9-5ffc-a7dc-855018b68bf9.html
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: RynSmith on December 25, 2013, 10:40:49 AM
I'm sorry for your loss, Burlkraft.   :'(
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: WmFritz on December 25, 2013, 11:05:52 AM
If we are lucky, I think we may meet a only a couple special individuals in our lifetime. If we are Very lucky, we may becomes friends with them.

Steve, from my heart, I'm sorry for loss. I wish I could've met the man. Your post and the obit Jeff linked, touched me.   Merry Christmas.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: clww on December 25, 2013, 11:08:30 AM
Very nice memories, Steve.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: isawlogs on December 25, 2013, 11:09:35 AM
 My condolences Steve, losing a neighbour and friend is not easy going, so sorry for the loss. May he rest in peace and build better and bigger splitters.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: Left Coast Chris on December 25, 2013, 11:29:51 AM
So sorry to hear of your loss Steve.  May the new year bring some special joys into your life to help fill the void and may the Lord provide some new friends that you can share your friendship with. Thanks for blessing us with Gary and may he rest in peace.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: coxy on December 25, 2013, 03:10:08 PM
very very sorry to here that  steve 
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: SawyerBrown on December 25, 2013, 03:16:25 PM
What a wonderful tribute. I'm sure he would have been very honored.  Thanks for sharing those great memories, I know it's hard but celebrating his life needs to go along with mourning his death.  Praying for more laughter than tears for you during this Christmas season.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on December 25, 2013, 03:58:15 PM
A BIG salute to Westy and your friendship with him. He will not be forgotten Steve and he will be in your heart forever.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 25, 2013, 04:57:02 PM
Sorry about your good friend passing away Steve. We recently lost dad, and no one can believe it began from a pulled muscle from bowling a month ago.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: thecfarm on December 25, 2013, 05:59:34 PM
Sorry to hear about the bad news.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: maple flats on December 25, 2013, 08:03:21 PM
So sorry. We seem to meet some great people on here and sooner or later the Lord calls them home. May he rest in peace, Amen.
Title: Re: Merry Christmas, So long my friend.
Post by: samandothers on December 25, 2013, 10:19:27 PM
x2 on Maple Flats.

I remember Westywood's posting but did not know him.  Sorry for the loss Burl and yours too SD (separate post).  Our time and that of friends and family on this earth is a great gift and it hurts when they are lost.  The memories are lasting!