About Huck

Huck

Liked his small cup of coffee with milk and two spoonfuls of sugar.

Liked well-done, dark brown Finn bread with his coffee; this was his last meal.

Had a quick wit and a measured pace.

Sang old sweet songs like “Moonlight Bay” to me when he took me sailing.

Played a Swedish polka tape loudly on his car radio.

Gave us great stories well-told.

Drove miles to find the right board at the right price.

Got along well with his neighbors.

Kept a neat yard and tidy house.

Liked to sleep with the window open at his head.

Believed that many problems were best solved by pondering.

Was a key character at Queen Lake, according to author Carole Gariepy.

Grieved when he had to sell his last sailboat, but he wouldn’t sell it to us.

Had sauna with Ted Fornas, his childhood friend, every other Sunday, or so.

Missed his friends who’d died like Arne Riutta and Ben Stuckey.

Counted on his remaining friends including Elden, Willy, Jimmy, and Bobby.

• Elden Bjurling, half Finn, lives at Queen Lake, has a plumbing supply store, and funeral parlor (the body shop)
• Willy Virta, a Finn, helped with Huck’s projects, was the son of a preacher.
• Jimmy Flanagan with the big family was a fellow welder.
• Bobby Nadeau with the good wife, was also a welder.

Was a high-bar gymnast.

Rode the rails across the country for adventure and work.

Was a Merchant Marine in WWII who sailed to Santos, Brazil, for coffee.

Built the camp at Queen Lake and the house at 218 Ellis Road.

Ran a welding school and business for awhile in the garage.

Liked pretty women.

Divorced Thelmama after 20 years.

Was a responsible oldest son, who cared for his parents next door ‘til their deaths.

Gave a sentimental birthday card to Karl each year, with money matching his age.

Played semi-pro football with the Gardner Merchants.

Was born in Milford NH where his father worked in the quarries.

Could sail, as his friend, Don Wilson said, with no wind.

Died quietly, in his sleep, at home in front of a low fire in the wood stove.

Put his chewing gum on top of his hat when he was eating.

Believed that admiring your work was the finishing step of any project.

Was frugal with money and emotion, and left us with lots of both.

Loved us, his family.

2007