I met Art several Jams ago and when we got to talking about Clarion, we became friends. Both my boys were coming to the Jam in those days and he instantly took to them and told them all the good stories. The boys were with me this weekend when my wife showed me that Art's wife Pat had posted on his Facebook page of his passing. It hit all three of us pretty hard.
We had a deal. He'd book the cabin and I'd do all the cooking. He had respiratory issues and the last Jam he attended, He just gave up at one point when trying to put his waders on, running out of breath. Man, he was pissed. He kept say, you guys just go ahead and I'll just sit here. Seriously? I sent the kids ahead and we sat and talked for a few hours until the boys came walking back. The next day we took him to Spring creek and where he caught his last PA trout. He said one of those things I think we've all said at one time or another, about finally having proof to show his wife he was actually fishing. Something he had a never ending amount of knowledge about. Trout, salt, whatever, he had done a ton of it in his 80-something years.
When my wife and I finally took him up on an offer to come visit Clearwater, he insisted we stay with them. We were present for the weekly "Family dinner night" and go to meet Pat, their son and their granddaughter Nova. We had the best time. We'd come back from doing touristy stuff and sit and talk at the dinner table for hours after that. We kept each other up to date on all things Clarion football and I'd get score updates weekly.
I remember talking to him after JackM passed last fall. It seemed to hit hm particularly hard. "Damn shame, way too young", he kept saying. He sent me long text just the other week to "brag about" his granddaughter. He left everyone he met in a better place. So now there will be another empty chair on porch of the cabin at 7 mountains. Another great friend to pour one out for.
Its great to hear how everyone else remembers him as I did. I'll see if I can't find a way get Pat to hear how you all knew him. I will let everyone know what if any Memorial plans she announces. thanks for letting me get that out.
Art's last trout at Spring Creek.